K
Idioms beginning with "K"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of K:
[kangaroo court] {n.}
A self-appointed group that decides what to do to someone who is supposed to have done wrong.
The Chicago mob held a kangaroo court and shot the gangster who competed with Al Capone.
[keel over] {v.}
1. To turn upside down; tip over; overturn. — Usually refers to a boat.
The strong wind made the sailboat keel over and the passengers fell into the water.
2. {informal}
To fall over in a faint; taint.
* /It was so hot during […]
[keen about] or [keen on] {adj. phr.}
Very enthusiastic about someone or something.
It is well known that Queen Elizabeth is keen on horses.
[keep (one) posted] {v. phr.}
To receive current information; inform oneself.
My associates phoned me every day and kept me posted on new developments in our business.
[keep a civil tongue in one's head] {v. phr.}
To be polite in speaking.
He was very angry with his boss, but he kept a civil tongue in his head.
The bus driver began yelling at the woman and she told him to keep a civil tongue in his head.
[keep a stiff upper lip] {v. phr.}
To be brave; face trouble bravely.
He was very much worried about his sick daughter, but he kept a stiff upper lip.
* /Although he was having some trouble with the engine, the pilot kept a stiff upper lip and […]
[keep abreast (of) someone] or [keep abreast (of) something] {v. phr.}
To be informed of the latest developments.
It is difficult to keep abreast of all the various wars that are being waged on planet Earth.
Compare: [KEEP STEP WITH].
[keep after] {v.}, {informal}
To speak to (someone) about something again and again; remind over and over again.
Some pupils will do sloppy work unless the teacher keeps after them to write neatly.
* /Sue's mother had to keep after her to clean […]
[keep an eye on] or [keep one's eye on] or [have one's eye on] {v. phr.}
1. To watch carefully; not stop paying attention to.
Keep an eye on the stove in case the coffee boils.
You must keep your eye on the ball when you play tennis.
* /A […]
[keep at] {v.}
To continue to do; go on with.
Mary kept at her homework until she finished it.
Compare: [KEEP ON] (1), [KEEP UP] (1b).
[keep away] {v. phr.}
To remain at a distance from.
Her mother advised Diane to keep away from men offering a ride.
[keep back] {v. phr.}
To refrain or be restrained from entering; remain back.
The police had a hard time keeping back the crowd when the astronauts came to town after walking on the moon.
[keep body and soul together] {v. phr.}
To keep alive; survive.
John was unemployed most of the year and hardly made enough money to keep body and soul together.
Compare: [KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR].
[keep books] {v. phr.}
To keep records of money gained and spent; do the work of a bookkeeper.
Miss Jones keeps the company's books.
[keep company] {v. phr.}
1. To stay or go along with (someone) so that he will not be lonely to visit with (someone).
John kept Andy company while his parents went to the movies.
I'll go shopping with you just to keep you company.
2. To go […]
[keep cool] {v. phr.}
Remain calm; remain unexcited.
The main thing to remember in an emergency situation is to not lose one's head and keep cool.
[keep down] {v.}
Keep from progressing or growing; keep within limits; control.
The children could not keep their voices down.
We hoe the garden to keep down the weeds.
You can't keep a good man down.
Compare: [GET AHEAD].
[keep from] {v.}, {informal}
To hold yourself back from; stop or prevent yourself from (doing something).
Can you keep from repeating gossip?
Jill can't keep from talking about her trip.
- Usually used with "can" in the negative.
* /You […]
[keep house] (1) {v. phr.}
To do the necessary things in a household; do the cooking and cleaning.
Since their mother died, Mary and her brother keep house for their father.
[keep house] (2) also [play house] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To live together without being married.
Bob and Nancy keep house these days.
[keep in touch with] {v. phr.}
To remain in communication with; maintain contact with.
Don't forget to keep in touch, either by letter or phone, when you're in Europe!
[keep late hours] {v. phr.}
To go to bed late; habitually stay up (and work) late.
"If you always keep such late hours, your health might suffer," Tom's doctor said.
[keep off] {v. phr.}
To refrain from entering; stay away from.
"Keep off the grass," the sign in the park indicated.
[keep on] {v.}
1. To go ahead; not stop; continue.
The neighbors asked them to stop making noise, but they kept right on.
Columbus kept on until he saw land.
- Often used before a present participle.
* /Relentlessly, the boy kept on asking […]
[keep one at a distance] or [keep one at arm's length] {v. phr.}
To avoid (someone's) company; not become too friendly toward.
Mr. Smith is kind to the workers in his store but after work he keeps them at a distance.
* /Betty likes Bill and is […]
[keep one's balance] {v. phr.}
To stay even-tempered; not become overexcited.
Mike has the best personality to run our office; he always keeps his balance.
Contrast: [LOSE ONE'S BALANCE].
[keep one's chin up] {v. phr.}
To be brave; be determined; face trouble with courage.
He didn't think that he would ever get out of the jungle alive, but he kept his chin up.
Compare: [KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP].
[keep one's distance] {v. phr.}
To be cool toward someone; avoid being friendly.
Mary did not like her co-worker, Betty, and kept her distance from her.
Compare: [KEEP ONE AT A DISTANCE].
[keep one's eye on the ball] {v. phr.}
1. To watch the ball at all times in a sport, usually in order to hit it or get it; not stop watching the ball.
Keep your eye on the baseball or you won't be able to hit it.
2. {informal}
To be watchful and […]
[keep one's eyes peeled] or [keep one's eyes skinned] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To watch carefully; be always looking.
The bird-watcher kept his eyes peeled for bluebirds.
* /When the boys walked through the roads, they kept their eyes skinned for […]
[keep one's feet] {v. phr.}
To keep from falling or slipping down; keep your balance; remain standing.
The boy stumbled on the stairs but was able to keep his feet.
Compare: [REGAIN ONE'S FEET].
[keep one's hand in] {v. phr.}
To keep in practice; continue to take part.
After he retired from teaching, Mr. Brown kept his hand in by giving a lecture once in a while.
* /Mr. Smith left the planning of the trip to his wife, but he kept his hand […]
[keep one's head] also [keep one's wits about one] {v. phr.}
To stay calm when there is trouble or danger.
When Tim heard the fire alarm he kept his head and looked for the nearest exit.
Compare: [COUNT TO TEN]. Contrast: [LOSE ONE'S HEAD].
[keep one's head above water] {v. phr.}
To remain solvent; manage to stay out of debt.
Herb's income declined so drastically that he now has difficulty keeping his head above water.
[keep one's mouth shut] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be or stay silent. — A rude expression when used as a command.
When the crooks were captured by the police, their leader warned them to keep their mouths shut.
* /Charles began to tell Barry how to […]
[keep one's nose clean] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To stay out of trouble; do only what you should do.
The boss said Jim could have the job as long as he kept his nose clean and worked hard.
* /The policeman warned the boys to keep their noses clean […]
[keep one's nose to the grindstone] or [have one's nose to the grindstone] or [hold one's nose to the grindstone] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To work hard all the time; keep busy with boring or tiresome work.
* /Sarah keeps her nose to the grindstone and […]
[keep one's own counsel] {v. phr.}, {formal}
To keep your ideas and plans to yourself.
John listened to what everyone had to say in the discussion, but he kept his own counsel.
* /Although everybody gave Mrs. O'Connor advice about what to do with […]
[keep one's shirt on] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To calm down; keep from losing your temper or getting impatient or excited.
Bob got very angry when John accidentally bumped into him, but John told him to keep his shirt on.
- Usually used as a command; […]
[keep one's word] {v. phr.}
To do what one has promised; fulfill one's promise.
Paul kept his word and paid me the $250 that he owed me right on time.
[keep open house] {v. phr.}
To offer hospitality and entertain those who come at any given time on a certain day or afternoon.
Beth and Charlie have a cottage by the lake where they keep open house on Saturday afternoons during the summer.
[keep out (of)] {v. phr.}
1. To stay out; remain out of.
The sign on the fence said, "Danger! Keep out!"
2. To stave off; not allow in.
The border patrol near El Paso, Texas, is trying to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States.
[keep pace] {v. phr.}
To go as fast; go at the same rate; not get behind.
When they go for a walk, Johnny has to take long steps to keep pace with his father.
When Billy was moved to a more advanced class, he had to work hard to keep pace.
[…]
[keep plugging along] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To continue to work diligently and with great effort, often against hardship.
Bob was not particularly talented but he kept plugging along year after year, and eventually became vice president.
[keep step with] {v. phr.}
To maintain the same degree of progress as someone else.
The United States has no choice but to keep step with potential enemies in terms of modern defense systems.
[keep tab on] or [keep tabs on] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To keep a record of.
The government tries to keep tabs on all the animals in the park.
2. To keep a watch on; check.
* /The house mother kept tabs on the girls to be sure they were clean […]
[keep the ball rolling] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To keep up an activity or action; not allow something that is happening to slow or stop.
Clyde kept the ball rolling at the party by dancing with a lamp shade on his head.
Compare: [GET THE BALL […]
[keep the faith] {v. phr.}
To not abandon hope; stay committed to the cause of democracy and racial equality.
"Keep the faith, Baby," my neighbor said as he raised his fingers to show the "V" for victory sign.
[keep the home fires burning] {v. phr.}
To keep things going as usual while someone is away; wait at home to welcome someone back.
While John was in the army, Mary kept the home fires burning.
[keep the wolf (wolves) from the door] {v. phr.}
To avoid hunger, poverty, and/or creditors.
"I don't like my job," Mike complained, "but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door."
Compare: [KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER].
[keep things humming] {v. phr.}
To cause thing to perform smoothly and efficiently.
Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps things humming.
[keep time] {v. phr.}
1. To show the right time.
My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it.
2. To keep the beat; keep the same rhythm; keep in step.
* /Many people are surprised at how well deaf people keep time with the music when they […]
[keep track] {v. phr.}
To know about changes; stay informed or up-to-date; keep a count or record.
What day of the week is it? I can't keep track.
- Usually used with "of".
* /Mr. Stevens kept track of his business by telephone when he was in […]
[keep under one's hat] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To keep secret; not tell.
Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under his hat until it was announced publicly.
- Often used as a command.
Keep it under your hat.
Syn.: [KEEP TO […]
[keep up] {v.}
1a. To go on; not stop; continue.
The rain kept up for two days and the roads were flooded.
Compare: [KEEP ON].
1b. To go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop.
Mrs. Smith told John to keep up the good work.
* […]
[keep up appearances] {v. phr.}
To maintain an outward show of prosperity in spite of financial problems.
Mr. Smith's widow had a hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death.
[keep up with the Joneses] {v. phr.}
To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors.
* /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start […]
[keep watch] {v. phr.}
To be vigilant; be alert; guard.
The police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped convict.
[kettle of fish] {v. phr.}, {informal}
Something to be considered; how things are; a happening; business.
I thought he needed money, but it was another kettle of fish — his car had disappeared.
- Usually used with "pretty", "fine", "nice", but […]
[keyed up] {adj.}, {informal}
Excited; nervous; anxious to do something.
Mary was all keyed up about the exam.
Mother would not let Tom read a ghost story at bedtime; she said it would get him keyed up.
[kick against the pricks] {v. phr.}, {literary}
To fight against rules or authority in a way that just hurts yourself.
Johnny kicked against the pricks in his foster home until he learned that he could trust his new family.
[kick around] {v.}, {informal}
1. To act roughly or badly to; treat badly; bully.
John likes to kick around the little boys.
Mr. Jones is always kicking his dog around.
Syn.: [PUSH AROUND].
2. To lie around or in a place; be treated […]
[kick back] {v.}, {slang}, {informal}
To pay money illegally for favorable contract arrangements.
I will do it if you kick back a few hundred for my firm.
[kick down] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To shift an automobile, jeep, or truck into lower gear by hand-shifting.
Joe kicked the jeep down from third to second, and we slowed down.
[kick in the pants] or [kick in the teeth] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Unexpected scorn or insult when praise was expected; rejection.
Mary worked hard to clean up John's room, but all she got for her trouble was a kick in the teeth.
Compare: [SLAP IN […]
[kick it] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To end a bad or unwanted habit such as drinking, smoking, or drug addiction.
Farnsworth finally kicked it; he's in good shape.
[kick off] {v. phr.}
1. To make the kick that begins a football game.
John kicked off and the football game started.
2. {informal}
To begin; launch; start.
The candidate kicked off his campaign with a speech on television.
* /The fund […]
[kick oneself] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be sorry or ashamed; regret.
When John missed the train, he kicked himself for not having left earlier.
Mary could have kicked herself for letting the secret out before it was announced officially.
[kick out] or [boot out] {v.}, {informal}
To make (someone) go or leave; get rid of; dismiss.
The boys made so much noise at the movie that the manager kicked them out.
The chief of police was booted out of office because he was a crook.
[…]
[kick over] {v.}
1. Of a motor: To begin to work.
He had not used his car for two months and when he tried to start it, the motor would not kick over.
2. {slang}
To pay; contribute.
* /The gang forced all the storekeepers on the block to kick […]
[kick over the traces] also [jump the traces] {v. phr.}
To break the rules; behave badly.
When their teacher was absent and they had a substitute, the children kicked over the traces.
Compare: [ACT UP], [CUT UP], [LET LOOSE], [OUT OF HAND], [RAISE […]
[kick the bucket] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To die.
Old Mr. Jones kicked the bucket just two days before his ninety-fourth birthday.
Compare: [KICK OFF] (3).
[kick up] {v.}, {informal}
To show signs of not working right.
John had had too much to eat and his stomach started to kick up.
After working well for a year the air conditioner suddenly started kicking up.
[kick up a fuss] or [kick up a row] or [raise a row] also [kick up a dust] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To make trouble; make a disturbance.
When the teacher gave the class five more hours of homework, the class kicked up a fuss.
* /When the teacher left […]
[kick up one's heels] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To have a merry time; celebrate.
When exams were over the students went to town to kick up their heels.
* /Mary was usually very quiet but at the farewell party she kicked up her heels and had a wonderful […]
[kickback] {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
Money paid illegally for favorable treatment.
He was arrested for making kickback payments.
[kickoff] {n.}
The start of something, like a new venture, a business, a sports event, or a concert season.
Beethoven's Ninth will be the kickoff for this summer season at Ravinia.
[kid]
See:
[HANDLE WITH GLOVES] or [HANDLE WITH KID GLOVES],
[HANDLE WITHOUT GLOVES] or [HANDLE WITHOUT KID GLOVES].
[kiddie car] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
A school bus.
Watch out for that kiddie car coming up behind you!
[kill off] {v.}
To kill or end completely; destroy.
The factory dumped poisonous wastes into the river and killed off the fish.
* /The president suggested a new law to Congress but many members of Congress were against the idea and they killed it […]
[kill the goose that laid the golden egg]
To spoil something that is good or something that you have, by being greedy. — A proverb.
* /Mrs. Jones gives you an apple from her tree whenever you go by her house, but don't kill the goose that laid the […]
[kill time] {v. phr.}
To cause the time to pass more rapidly; waste time.
The plane trip to Hong Kong was long and tiring, but we managed to kill time by watching several movies.
[kill two birds with one stone] {v. phr.}
To succeed in doing two things by only one action; get two results from one effort.
* /Mother stopped at the supermarket to buy bread and then went to get Jane at dancing class; she killed two birds with one […]
[kind of] or [sort of] {adv. phr.}, {informal}
Almost but not quite; rather.
A guinea pig looks kind of like a rabbit, but it has short ears.
Bob was kind of tired when he finished the job.
The teacher sort of frowned but then smiled.
* […]
[kindled spirits] {n. phr.}
People who resemble each other in numerous ways, including their ways of thinking and feeling.
They are kindred spirits; they both like to go on long walks in the forest.
[king's ransom] {n. phr.}
1. An excessively large sum of money extorted by kidnappers to let someone go free.
The Smith family had to pay a kings ransom for the freedom of their seven-year-old son, Tommy.
2. An exorbitant fee one is forced to pay. […]
[kiss someone] or [something goodbye] {v. phr.}
To lose or give up someone or something forever.
"If you won't marry Jane," Peter said to Tom, "you might as well kiss her goodbye."
* /People who bet on a losing horse at the races might as well […]
[knee]
See:
[BRING TO ONE'S KNEES],
[IN THE LAP OF THE GODS] also [ON THE KNEES OF THE GODS],
[ON ONE'S KNEES],
[UP TO THE CHIN IN] or [UP TO THE KNEE IN].
[knee-deep] or [neck-deep] {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
1. Very much; deeply; having a big part in.
Johnny was knee-deep in trouble.
2. Very busy; working hard at.
We were neck-deep in homework before the exams.
3. Getting or having many or much.
[…]
[knee-high to a grasshopper] also [knee-high to a duck] {adj. phr.}, {informal}
As tall as a very small child; very young.
Charles started reading when he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
I've known Mary ever since she was knee-high to a duck.
[kneeling bus] {n.}, {informal}
A bus equipped with a hydraulic device to enable it to drop almost to curb level for greater ease of boarding and leaving vehicle, as a convenience for elderly or handicapped passengers.
* /The man on crutches was […]
[knock about] or [knock around] {v.}
To travel without a plan; go where you please.
After he graduated from college, Joe knocked about for a year seeing the country before he went to work in his father's business.
Compare: [KICK AROUND].
[knock cold] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To render unconscious.
The blow on the chin knocked Harry cold.
[knock down] {v. phr.}
To reduce; lower.
The realtors said that if we decided to buy the house, they would knock the price down by 10%.
[knock for a loop] or [throw for a loop] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To surprise very much.
When I heard they were moving, I was really knocked for a loop.
The news of their marriage threw me for a loop.
[knock it off] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. To stop talking about something considered not appropriate or nonsensical by the listener. — Used frequently as an imperative.
Come on, Joe, knock it off, you're not making any sense at all!
2. To […]
[knock off] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To burglarize someone.
They knocked off the Manning residence.
2. To murder someone.
The gangsters knocked off Herman.
[knock off one's feet] {v. phr.}
To surprise (someone) so much that he does not know what to do.
Her husband's death knocked Mrs. Jones off her feet.
When Charlie was given the prize, it knocked him off his feet for a few minutes.
Compare:
[…]
[knock on wood] {v. phr.}
To knock on something made of wood to keep from having bad luck. — Many people believe that you will have bad luck if you talk about good luck or brag about something, unless you knock on wood; often used in a joking way.
* […]
[knock one's block off] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To hit someone very hard; beat someone up.
Stay out of my yard or I'll knock your block off.
Jim will knock your block off if he catches you riding his bike.
[knock oneself out] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To work very hard; make a great effort.
Mrs. Ross knocked herself out planning her daughter's wedding.
Tom knocked himself out to give his guests a good time.
Compare: [BREAK ONE'S NECK], [FALL OVER […]
[knock out] {v. phr.}
To make helpless, unworkable, or unusable.
The champion knocked out the challenger in the third round.
The soldier knocked out two enemy tanks with his bazooka.
[knock over] {v. phr.}
To overturn; upset.
I accidentally knocked over the Chinese lamp that fell on size floor and broke.
[knock the living daylights out of] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal}
To render (someone) unconscious (said in exaggeration).
The news almost knocked the living daylights out of me.
[knocked out] {adj.}, {slang}
Intoxicated; drugged; out of one's mind.
Jim sounds so incoherent, he must be knocked out.
[knockout] {n.}, {slang}
1. Strikingly beautiful woman.
Sue is a regular knockout.
2. A straight punch in boxing that causes one's opponent to fall and lose consciousness.
The champion won the fight with a straight knockout.
[knotty problem] {n. phr.}
A very complicated and difficult problem to solve.
Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty problem.
[know]
See:
[FOR ALL ONE KNOWS],
[GOD KNOWS] or [GOODNESS KNOWS] or [HEAVEN KNOWS],
[IN THE KNOW],
[NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN] or [NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO JUMP].
[know a thing or two about] {v. phr.}
To be experienced in; have a fairly considerable knowledge of.
Tom has dealt with many foreign traders; he knows a thing or two about stocks and bonds.
[know enough to come in out of the rain] {v. phr.}
To have good sense; know how to take care of yourself. — Usually used in the negative.
Bob does so many foolish things that his mother says he doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain.
* […]
[know if one is coming or going] or [know whether one is coming or going] {v. phr.}
To feel able to think clearly; know what to do. — Usually used in the negative or with limiters.
* /On Monday, the car broke down; on Tuesday, Mother broke her arm; on […]
[know one in high places] {v. phr.}
To be connected with people in power.
Ted's grandfather was the mayor of Chicago so he knows people in high places.
[know one is alive] {v. phr.}
Not to notice a person. — Used with negative or limiting words and in questions.
She was a good-looking girl but she didn't know I was alive.
Compare: [GIVE A HANG].
[know one's own mind] {v. phr.}
To not hesitate or vacillate; be definite in one's ideas or plans.
It is impossible to do business with Fred, because he doesn't know his own mind.
[know one's place] {v. phr.}
To be deferential to one's elders or superiors.
Ken is a talented teaching assistant, but he has a tendency to tell the head of the department how to run things. Somebody ought to teach him to know his place.
[know one's way around] or [know one's way about] {v. phr.}
1. To understand how things happen in the world; be experienced in the ways of the world.
The sailor had been in the wildest ports in the world. He knew his way around.
Compare: [HAVE […]
[know something inside out] {v. phr.}
To be extremely well conversant with something; be an expert in; have thorough knowledge of.
Tom knows the stock market inside out.
[know which side one's bread is buttered on] {v. phr.}
To know who can help you and try to please him; know what is for your own gain.
Dick was always polite to the boss; he knew which side his bread was buttered on.
[know-how] {n.}, {slang}
Expertise; ability to devise and construct.
The United States had the know-how to beat the Soviet Union to the moon in 1969.
[know-it-all] {n.}
A person who acts as if he knows all about everything; someone who thinks no one can tell him anything new.
After George was elected as class president, he wouldn't take suggestions from anyone; he became a know-it-all.
- Also […]
[knowledge]
See:
[A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING],
[TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE].
[knuckle under] {v. phr.}
To do something because you are forced to do it.
Bobby refused to knuckle under to the bully.
Compare: [GIVE IN].