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to keep down
[phrase form: keep]
01
to maintain something at a low level and prevent it from increasing
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
down
Base verb
keep
Present tense
keep down
3rd person singular
keeps down
Present participle
keeping down
Past simple
kept down
Past participle
kept down
Examples
The company has worked to keep down production costs to remain competitive.
02
to retain food or liquids in the stomach without throwing them up
Examples
She's had some water, but she ca n't keep any food down.
03
to restrict someone or a group from freely expressing themselves or asserting their opinions and rights
Examples
The authoritarian regime has attempted to keep down any opposition or dissent.
04
to control or lower the volume or intensity of something to prevent it from becoming too loud
Examples
Please keep the music down; the neighbors are trying to sleep.
05
to lower or hide one's body to avoid being noticed
Examples
The soldiers had to keep down to avoid being spotted by the enemy.
