keep score
verb2
Broadly, Figuratively To keep track of figures, numbers, or other details in various other contexts.
- Too many of us are attempting to "prove" our manhood by the tired heterosexual method of "keeping score".1977 April 30, Steven Blevins, “Sexism in the Bars, Baths, and Bushes”, in Gay Community News, page 5:
3
Broadly, Figuratively To monitor and assess the actions and conduct of others, including potential infringements, conflicting objectives, or notable interactions, across interpersonal, political, and broader social domains, encompassing both offline and digital environments.
- What I've learned I'm not really sure / Oh so many times / I've stopped keeping score / Traces and faces and people I meet / Seem to be a circle that just repeats1974, Ashford & Simpson, “Over To Where You Are”, in I Wanna Be Selfish:
- i never, EVER entered into a friendship with the idea that i was *owed* anything by that person. i never "kept score". not ever.1998 August 19, rena, “what's the deal??”, in alt.support.depression.flame (Usenet):
1 more example
- I've been praying on my own since very, very young [...] but it "degenerated" in me talking to God direct [...] and asking various things for others, sometimes for myself. It worked very often but I never kept score.2000 August 12, meg...@abacom.com, “Inner Voice”, in sci.philosophy.meta (Usenet):
- Related terms
- even the score, pay off old scores, scoreboard, scorebook, scorecard, scorekeeper, scorekeeping, settle the score