Keep down
2 meanings · select one to explore
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Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To lower the volume of noise, or to be quieter
Example sentence
Keep it down, the baby's sleeping.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: keep + it/noise/voice + down
keep it down
keep your voice down
keep the noise down
can you keep it down?
keep it down in there
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
Please keep your voice down in the library. ✅ (Correct — often separated with an object)
Please keep down your voice in the library. ❌ (Incorrect)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To control or suppress something (costs, a rebellion, prices)
Example sentence
We need to keep down expenses this quarter.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: keep down + cost/uprising (noun)
keep down costs
keep down expenses
keep down inflation
keep down the rebellion
keep down prices
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
They keep down costs by cutting unnecessary spending. ✅ (Correct)
They keep costs down by cutting unnecessary spending. ✅ (Correct)