keep/hold in check

phrase

: 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.

Examples of keep/hold in check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Within about 30 seconds of exiting the building, there was a second explosion and fire, which fire crews were able to keep in check and prevent from spreading. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Dec. 2025

Ahead of the series, Murphy highlighted the shortstop as a key player for the Dodgers, whom the Brewers will hope to keep in check. — Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

By knitting together the array of right-wing blocs in Italy, critics say, Meloni may unleash forces that her nation and Europe as a whole have long fought to keep in check. — Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025

Now, some 114 years later, Californians have reached their limit with the cozy cronyism between the commission and the private utilities it is required to keep in check. — Loretta Lynch, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025

But Daniels and the Commanders’ offense (and perhaps the ghosts that have haunted the Lions franchise for decades) were simply too tough to keep in check Saturday night. — Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025

This is done to control premium costs for everyone by using the lower costs incurred by healthy participants to keep in check the higher costs incurred by unhealthy participants. — Stephanie Armour | Kff Health News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024

After the game, the coach chose to keep in check the emotions that had to be bubbling up inside of him. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 13 May 2024