Idioms Translator

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Base language: EN

Letter: k

Total idioms: 9858 - currently selected: 215 (50 per page)

Kangaroo court

Details:
A kangaroo court is an illegal tribunal set up by a group of people who have taken the law into their own hands and conduct trials which deny fundamental justice.
kangaroo court (plural kangaroo courts)
1. (idiomatic) A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, abusive, or otherwise unjust.


Examples:
Calm down please!  Is this a meeting or a kangaroo court?




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Exemple:

Kangaroo piss

Details:
kangaroo piss (uncountable)
1. Used other than as an idiom: see kangaroo,‎ piss.
2. (Australia, vulgar, slang) Beer, especially of inferior quality.


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Exemple:

Keel over

Details:
keel over (third-person singular simple present keels over, present participle keeling over, simple past and past participle keeled over)
1. (intransitive, nautical) Of a vessel: to roll so far on its side that it cannot recover; to capsize.
2. (intransitive, idiomatic) To collapse in a faint; to black out; to die.
? We should all go inside, before somebody <


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Exemple:

Keen as mustard

Details:
(to be) keen as mustard
1. (simile) To be very keen, enthusiastic, eager.
? He was keen as mustard to begin the new job, until he learned what it really entailed.


Examples:





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Keep a civil tongue

Details:
People who keep a civil tongue express themselves in polite terms.


Examples:
Don't speak ro rudely! You must learn to keep a civil tongue in all circumstances.




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Keep a close watch on

Details:
keep a close watch on
1. (idiomatic) to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
? The prime minister asked the home secretary to keep a close watch on the flooding situation.


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Keep a cool head

Details:
keep a cool head
1. (idiomatic) to keep one's cool; to stay calm


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Keep a level head

Details:
If you keep a level head,  you remain calm and sensible no matter  how difficult or distressful the situation may be.


Examples:
All through the hijacking the pilot kept a level  head.




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Exemple:

Keep a lid on

Details:
keep a lid on (often with -it)
1. (idiomatic, imperative) To keep something secret.
? It's supposed to be a surprise, so try to keep a lid on it, will you?


Examples:





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Keep a low profile

Details:
A person who keeps a low profile tries not to attract public attention.


Examples:
The inventor is a discreet man who keeps a low profile.




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Keep a stiff upper lip

Details:
If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings.


Examples:
When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip.




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Keep a weather eye open

Details:
keep a weather eye open
1. (intransitive, idiomatic) to maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying your full attention.
2. (rare, obsolete) to be alert; to concentrate on a matter in hand.


Examples:





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Keep an eye on

Details:
keep an eye on
1. (idiomatic) To watch and pay attention to.
? I must keep an eye on this sauce in case it curdles.


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Keep an eye open

Details:
keep an eye open
1. (idiomatic) To maintain vigilance for someone or something.
2. (idiomatic) To maintain vigilance for a possibly dangerous situation.


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Keep an eye out

Details:
keep an eye out
1. (idiomatic) To watch for, look for, or search for.
? I think we're getting close, so keep an eye out for the next street.


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Exemple:

Keep an eye peeled

Details:
keep an eye peeled
1. (idiomatic) To look out (for something) attentively.
? Keep an eye peeled, you never know when the ice-cream truck will pass by.


Examples:





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Exemple:

Keep at arm's length

Details:
If you keep someone at arm's length, you do not allow yourself to become too friendly with them.


Examples:
It's not easy to become friends with Sophie; she tends to keep everyone at arm's length.




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Keep body and soul together

Details:
If someone is able to keep body and soul together, they manage to survive.


Examples:
He was unemployed and homeless, but somehow he managed to keep body and soul together.




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Keep company

Details:
keep company
1. (transitive, intransitive, idiomatic, dated) To court.
? It was rumoured that the lady and the gentleman were keeping company.
? He was keeping company with her.
2. (intransitive, idiomatic) To socialise.
? If you care about your reputation you ought to be careful who you keep company with.


Examples:





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Keep fingers crossed

Details:
If you keep your fingers crossed, you hope that something will be successful.


Examples:
I'm doing my driving test tomorrow.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!




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Exemple:

Keep head above water

Details:
To keep one's head above water means to try to survive by staying out of debt, for example a small business.


Examples:
Business has been slow, but we've managed to keep our head above water.




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Keep house

Details:
keep house (third-person singular simple present keeps house, present participle keeping house, simple past and past participle kept house)
1. (idiomatic) To take care of domestic chores; work as a housekeeper.


Examples:





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Keep in

Details:
keep in (third-person singular simple present keeps in, present participle keeping in, simple past and past participle kept in)
1. Used other than as an idiom: see keep,‎ in.
2. To require a pupil to stay after school as a punishment.
3. to stay blazing (of a fire)
4. To cause (a fire) to stay blazing


Examples:





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Keep in proportion

Details:
If you react to a situation in a sensible way, without exaggerating the importance or seriousness of the facts, you keep things in proportion.


Examples:
Yes, we've got a problem, but let's try to keep things in proportion.




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Keep it between the ditches

Details:
keep it between the ditches
1. (idiomatic) To stay out of trouble or follow a righteous (God-fearing) path.


Examples:





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Keep it real

Details:
keep it real (third-person singular simple present keeps it real, present participle keeping it real, simple past and past participle kept it real)
1. (idiomatic, colloquial) To be authentic, true to oneself; to be cool.
2. In the imperative, an exhortation used as a departing salutation.


Examples:





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Exemple:

Keep it up

Details:
keep it up (third-person singular simple present keeps it up, present participle keeping it up, simple past and past participle kept it up)
1. (idiomatic) To maintain or continue a positive streak.
? The new teacher was so enthusiastic, I hope she can keep it up until the end of the year.
2. (idiomatic) To maintain one's erection.
? Ever hear of Via


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Keep mum

Details:
keep mum
1. (idiomatic) To not talk; especially keep silent about something that may be sensitive or secret.
? "Be like dad, keep mum" (British wartime poster)


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Exemple:

Keep nose clean

Details:
A person who keeps their nose clean behaves well and avoids trouble.


Examples:
He spent a term in prison a few years ago but he's kept his nose clean ever since.




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Exemple:

Keep nose to grindstone

Details:
A person who keeps their nose to the grindstone is someone who concentrates on working  or studying hard.


Examples:
She was so determined to get into the college of her choice that she kept her nose to the grindstone all year.




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Exemple:

Keep nose to the grindstone

Details:
A person who keeps their nose to the grindstone is someone who concentrates on working  or studying hard.


Examples:
She was so determined to get into the college of her choice that she kept her nose to the grindstone all year.




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Exemple:

Keep on

Details:
keep on (third-person singular simple present keeps on, present participle keeping on, simple past and past participle kept on)
1. (idiomatic) persist or continue
? Keep on trucking!
? Mum, Jimmy keeps on poking me!
2. (idiomatic) To remain in an existing position.
? The new boss would like to keep on the present secretary.


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Keep on truckin'

Details:
keep on truckin'
1. (idiomatic) To continue or persist, regardless of circumstances or setbacks; to keep trying or striving.


Examples:





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Keep on trucking

Details:
keep on trucking
1. (intransitive, idiomatic) to persevere


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Keep one on one's toes

Details:
keep one on one's toes
1. (idiomatic) To keep one attentive, active, busy or alert.
? Four-year-old twins will certainly keep you on your toes!


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Keep one's cards close to one's chest

Details:
keep one's cards close to one's chest
1. (idiomatic) To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.


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Keep one's cool

Details:
keep one's cool
1. (idiomatic) To remain composed, calm, and even-tempered, especially in a provocative situation.


Examples:





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Keep one's eyes peeled

Details:
keep one's eyes peeled
1. (intransitive, idiomatic, (with "for")) To be on the alert, to be watchful.


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Keep one's feet on the ground

Details:
A person who keeps their feet on the ground continues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.


Examples:
His invention was an instant success but he kept his feet on the ground and invested his money very wisely.




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Exemple:

Keep one's fingers crossed

Details:
keep one's fingers crossed
1. (idiomatic) to hope for the best, to show support


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Keep one's hair on

Details:
keep one's hair on
1. (idiomatic, UK, colloquial) To stay calm; to be patient.
? All right, all right, just keep your hair on, mate.


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Exemple:

Keep one's head

Details:
keep one's head
1. (idiomatic) To remain calm, reasonable, level-headed, especially in a situation likely to cause distress.


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Keep one's head above water

Details:
keep one's head above water
1. (idiomatic) To survive or endure, especially in a situation in which one is struggling to avoid being overwhelmed by adverse financial circumstances.


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Exemple:

Keep one's head down

Details:
keep one's head down
1. Used other than as an idiom.
? I had to keep my head down so my ex wouldn't recognize me as I walked by.
2. (idiomatic) To avoid trouble or attention.
? He's keeping his head down after being blasted for his offensive tweets.


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Exemple:

Keep one's lips sealed

Details:
keep one's lips sealed
1. (idiomatic) To keep quiet; to keep a secret; to not tell.
? You can certainly trust me to keep my lips sealed about the matter.


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Exemple:

Keep one's mouth shut

Details:
keep one's mouth shut
1. (idiomatic) To keep a secret; to refrain from speaking indiscreetly or carelessly; broadly, to refrain from speaking altogether.


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Exemple:

Keep one's nose clean

Details:
keep one's nose clean
1. (idiomatic) To stay out of trouble, especially by avoiding unlawful behavior.


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Exemple:

Keep one's options open

Details:
keep one's options open (third-person singular simple present keeps one's options open, present participle keeping one's options open, simple past and past participle kept one's options open)
1. (idiomatic) To not commit to a decision, to keep various options available.


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Exemple:

Keep one's pecker up

Details:
keep your pecker up (third-person singular simple present keeps one's pecker up, present participle keeping one's pecker up, simple past and past participle kept one's pecker up)
1. (chiefly UK, idiomatic) To remain cheerful; keep smiling.


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Keep one's shirt on

Details:
keep one's shirt on
1. (idiomatic) To be more patient or to calm down.


Examples:





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