keep someone honest

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see keep, honest.

“Jones is down ten games to two, but still keeping his opponent honest.”

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Meanings

verbkeep someone honest (third-person singular simple present keeps someone honest, present participle keeping someone honest, simple past and past participle kept someone honest)

present singular third person keeps someone honest · participle present keeping someone honest · participle past kept someone honest · past kept someone honest

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see keep, honest.
  2. hobbiesTo continue to compete strongly against someone despite being in an inferior position, so as not to allow one's opponent an easy victory.

    Jones is down ten games to two, but still keeping his opponent honest.

Cite this entry
APA

keep someone honest. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20someone%20honest

MLA

“keep someone honest.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20someone%20honest. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keep someone honest,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20someone%20honest.

Source: keep someone honest on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.