To keep a lid on it

(sound of coffee cup being put on a table)

Li Thanks for the coffee, Neil. What a good idea to present The English We Speak from a coffee shop!

Neil Yes, Li, it’s good to get out of the studio - and anyway, I get the coffee for free here.

Li You don’t pay for it?! So why do you get it for free?

Neil (Sounding slightly vague) Contacts.

Li Err… contacts?

Neil Yes, people I know. Don’t tell anyone but my friend works here and… well… when the boss isn’t around, he gives me the coffee for free.

Li (loudly and surprised) He gives it to you for free?

Neil Ssshhh! Keep your voice down. If he gets found out he’ll get the sack - you know, lose his job. We need to keep a lid on it.

Li Keep a lid on it?! Why do we need to keep a lid on the coffee? Are we trying to hide it?

Neil No Li. When you say keep a lid on something , it means keep it secret - or keep it quiet about it…

Li Oh I see.

Neil The phrase can also mean keep something strongly under control. Like your loud voice - control it and don’t tell anyone! Keep a lid on it.

Li We had better hear some examples while I drink my coffee… quietly!

Examples We need to keep a lid on the company merger - if the newspapers get to hear about this, our share price will drop.

Our baby is due in November but keep a lid on the news - we haven’t told our parents yet.

Please - keep a lid on your emotions - otherwise the waiter is going to ask us to leave!

Li So that is keeping a lid on something. (sips coffee) Mmm, this coffee does taste good but I don’t like the idea that you got it for free - it’s dishonest… I might have to tell someone about this dishonest behaviour.

Neil Ah! You mean you’re going ‘to lift the lid’ on what I’m doing - that means to tell someone about something bad - well, you can but you know what that will mean?

Li What’s that?

Neil You’ll be buying the coffee next time - and it’s not cheap!

Li Oh right - let’s just keep it our little secret for now shall we?

Neil OK Li!

Both Bye.