keep down

Verb

keep down (third-person singular simple present keeps down, present participle keeping down, simple past and past participle kept down)

1. (transitive) To repress.
   • The dictatorial state keeps down its dissidents very efficiently.
   • 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 loneliness1977, “Dreams”, in Stevie Nicks (lyrics), Fleetwood Mac (music), Rumours, performed by Stevie Nicks
2. (transitive) To restrain or control (a sound).
   • We must keep the noise down, or the neighbours will complain.
   • Keep it down in there! Some of us are trying to sleep!
3. (transitive) To cause not to increase or rise.
   • It is essential to keep the numbers down to avoid overcrowding.
4. (transitive) To retain in the stomach without vomiting.
   • It is difficult to keep anything down when you have the flu.
5. (intransitive) To lie low; to stay concealed by not standing up.
   • You had better keep down or they will see you.
6. (obsolete) To refrain from using capital letters more than absolutely necessary.

   Antonyms:

   keep up