keep/hold in check
idiom
: to keep (something) under control
He's trying to hold his emotions in check.
The government has raised interest rates in an attempt to keep inflation in check.
Cite this Entry
“Keep/hold in check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%2Fhold%20in%20check. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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