IDIOMS TO KEEP

*to keep the faith* Why did you tell Billy you'd buy him a bike if you couldn't keep the faith with him?

*cumplir una promesa*

*to keep one's powder dry* James is a good friend. He has always kept his powder dry.

*estar al pie del cañón*

*to keep one's eye on the ball* Don't let anything else distract you, just keep your eye on the ball.

*estar concentrado*

*to keep one's own counsel* In this situation, sir, I think it would be advisable to keep your own counsel.

*guardar silencio*

*to keep long hours* I'm worried about Ted, he keeps long hours in front of the computer.

*hacer algo durante horas*

*to keep company* James stayed with Emma at the hospital to keep her company.

*hacer compañía*

*to keep (it) quiet* Dan's going to propose to Amy but keep quiet, it's a secret!

*hacer silencio*

*to keep pace* I can't keep pace with you! You've got long legs! Mine are short!

*llevar el mismo paso*

*to keep track* The doctor keeps track of the progress of all of his patients.

*llevar la cuenta, seguir la pista/el hilo*

*to keep posted* Will you please keep me posted on anything that happens?

*mantener al tanto*

*to keep a lid on something* The Democrats kept a lid on the tax reform during the campaign.

*mantener algo tapado*

*to keep one's distance* It is always best to keep your distance from wild animals.

*mantener distancia*

*to keep one's mouth shut* This whole thing is supposed to be a secret so please, keep your mouth shut!

*mantener la boca cerrada*

*to keep one's cool/head* I can never keep my cool when I have an oral exam.

*mantener la calma*

*to keep a stiff upper lip* Mr. Jones always kept a stiff upper lip, even at his son's funeral.

*mantener la compostura*

*to keep the ball rolling* It doesn't matter if your partner isn't here, you have to keep the ball rolling.

*mantener las cosas en marcha*

*to keep one's head above water* The company's not doing too well. We can barely keep our head above water.

*mantenerse a flote*

*to keep abreast/an ear to the ground* As a journalist, you have to keep abreast of everything that happens in the world.

*mantenerse al corriente*

*to keep a straight face* It was hard for me to keep a straight face in class when you said something funny.

*mantenerse serio*

*to keep under one's hat* I'm not allowed to have pets at home so I kept the puppy under my hat.

*no decir una palabra*

*to keep one's chin up* Keep your chin up, Frank! You'll find a job sooner or later.

*no desanimarse*

*to keep one's nose clean* I've been in jail before, that's why I'm trying to keep my nose clean.

*no meterse en líos*

*to keep tabs on* Lisa is insane. She wants to keep tabs on everything her boyfriend does.

*no perder de vista*

*to keep up with the times* We have to keep up with the times if we want to attract the younger generations.

*no quedarse atrás, modernizarse*

*to keep up with the Joneses* My neighbor likes to keep up with the Joneses. If we buy a grill, he buys one too.

*no ser menos que los demás*

*to keep one's shirt on* Keep your shirt on, man! Perhaps you misunderstood what she said.

*no sulfurarse*

*to keep house* I'm looking for a housekeeper since I work all day and don't have time to keep house.

*ocuparse de la casa*

*to keep in mind* Finding a present for Jess isn't hard if you keep in mind what she likes.

*recordar*

*to keep a civil tongue in one's head* My mom always told me to keep a civil tongue in front of my elders.

*ser respetuoso*

*to keep body and soul together* We were very poor and we could barely keep body and soul together.

*sobrevivir*

*to keep one's fingers crossed* I hope you pass your test. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

*tener los dedos cruzados*

*to keep one's eyes open* Keep your eyes open and tell me if something unusual happens.

*tener los ojos abiertos*

*to keep a low profile* Johnny was the one from the four of us who kept a low profile.

*tener perfil bajo*

*to keep an open mind* Jerry's grandad has always kept an open mind about new kinds of music.

*tener una actitud abierta*

*to keep one's nose to the grindstone* Jerry keeps his nose to the grindstone. He lives to work!

*trabajar como un enano*

*to keep a (weather) eye on something* Would you keep an eye on the kids while I take a shower?

*vigilar algo (muy de cerca)*