keep down

present singular third person keeps down · participle present keeping down · participle past kept down · past kept down

1. transitiveTo repress.

   The dictatorial state keeps down its dissidents very efficiently.

   1 more example

   Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom / Well, who am I to keep you down? / It's only right that you should play the way you feel it / But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness

   1977, “Dreams”, in Stevie Nicks (lyrics), Fleetwood Mac (music), Rumours, performed by Stevie Nicks

2. transitiveTo restrain or control (a sound).

   Keep it down in there! Some of us are trying to sleep!

   1 more example

   We must keep the noise down, or the neighbours will complain.

3. transitiveTo cause not to increase or rise.

   It is essential to keep the numbers down to avoid overcrowding.

4. transitiveTo retain in the stomach without vomiting.

   It is difficult to keep anything down when you have the flu.

5. intransitiveTo lie low; to stay concealed by not standing up.

   You had better keep down or they will see you.

6. obsoletemediaTo refrain from using capital letters more than absolutely necessary.

   Antonyms: keep up