Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (137 page)

Keep out of this
!
AND
Stay out of this
!
This is not your business, so do not try to get involved.
J
OHN
: Now, you listen to me, Fred! M
ARY
: That's no way to talk to Fred! J
OHN
: Keep out of this, Mary! Mind your own business! F
RED
: Stay out of this, Mary! M
ARY
: It's just as much my business as it is yours.

Keep quiet
.
AND
Keep still
.
Get quiet and stay that way.
J
OHN
: I'm going to go to the store. B
ILL
: Keep quiet. J
OHN
: I just said … B
ILL
: I said, keep quiet!
C
HILD
: I want some candy! M
OTHER
: Keep still.

Keep quiet about it
.
Go to Keep still about it.

Keep smiling
.
a parting phrase encouraging someone to have good spirits.
J
OHN
: Things are really getting tough. S
UE
: Well, just keep smiling. Things will get better
.
B
ILL
: What a day! I'm exhausted and depressed. B
OB
: Not to worry. Keep smiling. Things will calm down.

keep
someone
in the loop
to make sure that someone is kept informed about all the news relating to a matter.
I need all the information about this deal as soon as possible. Please keep me in the loop
.
Keep Fred in the loop so he will have no excuse for not knowing what's going on.

keep
something
on the back burner
to temporarily remove a project, question, or piece of business from immediate consideration.
This isn't the most important thing we have to deal with at the moment, so keep it on the back burner until we have some time.
Why has this been kept on the back burner so long? This is one of the most urgent issues that this company faces!

Keep still
.
Go to Keep quiet.

Keep still about it
.
AND
Keep quiet about it
.
Don't tell it to anyone.
B
ILL
: Are you really going to sell your car? M
ARY
: Yes, but keep quiet about it
.
J
OHN
: Someone said you're looking for a new job. S
UE
: That's right, but keep still about it.

Keep talking
.
Continue to explain. See also Tell me more.
D
ON
: I have a hot lead on a big deal with a Vegas land owner. A
NDY
: Keep talking. I'm interested
.
A: There's all sorts of good reasons to get this guy elected. B: Keep talking.