Keep a lid on it

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Neil
And hello, I’m Neil. Phwa! What is that smell?

Feifei
Rob’s homemade cooking.

Neil
Rob cooks?!

Feifei
Yes, he does. But it doesn’t taste very nice.

Neil So why do you have to eat it - and why do have to make the studio stink of it?

Feifei Well, I don’t want to offend him. He keeps giving me his homemade food and asking me for some honest feedback. And I just tell him ‘it’s interesting, unique, special’.

Neil
Oh Feifei, you need to keep a lid on it.

Feifei
Well, if you think that’ll stop the smell, I will.

Neil
That’s not what I meant, although it’s a good idea. If you ‘keep a lid on something’ it means to keep something under control - to stop the situation getting worse.

Feifei
OK, Neil!

Neil
Here are some examples of this phrase in action.

Examples
I couldn’t keep a lid on my feelings about the rota so I shouted at the boss!

With rising food prices, it’s hard to keep a lid on how much I spend at the supermarket.

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re looking at the phrase ‘to keep a lid on something’ which means to keep something under control and to stop the situation from getting worse. But this isn’t the only meaning, is it?

Neil
No. If you keep a lid on something, it can also mean you keep something secret. Like this …

Example I’ve heard that Daisy is expecting a baby - but keep a lid on it until it’s official!

Feifei
OK Neil, you’re telling me to keep a lid on things by telling Rob to stop giving me his homemade food?

Neil
Yes - unless his cooking is amazing.

Feifei
It’s not.

Neil
Right, well tell him you’re on a diet or you’ve become vegan and that should stop him. And I will keep your little lie a secret.

Feifei
You mean, you’ll keep a lid on it?

Neil Exactly. But in the meantime, could you actually keep a lid on that box of food please? It stinks!

Feifei OK. Right, I’m off to speak to Rob. Bye.

Neil
Remember to be firm and say what you mean.

Rob
Hi, Neil. Feifei doesn’t seem to want this delicious food I made. Would you like it?

Neil
Err… go on then. Looks lovely. Bye.