keep a lid on

idiom

1

: to keep (something secret) from being known

She tried to keep a lid on the news.

2

: to control (something) : to keep (something) from becoming worse

The government has been unable to keep a lid on inflation.

Examples of keep a lid on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That scenario could help to keep a lid on inflation, which can be fueled by rising levels of government spending. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 19 May 2025

The good news is that lower energy prices could help keep a lid on inflation by offsetting a rise in consumer goods hit by tariffs, but cheaper oil is a potential warning sign for the direction of the economy as a whole. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

Both sides have grounds to claim victory that can, for at least some time, keep a lid on tensions. —Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025

The good news: By harnessing AI and automation to keep a lid on expenses and avoid nasty surprises, companies can breathe easier when opening that cloud bill. —Jyoti Bansal, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Rhymes for keep a lid on

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon