keep quiet
/kiːp kwaɪət/To remain silent or not make any noise
The teacher told the students to keep quiet during the exam.
The teacher asked the students to remain silent during the exam.
This phrase is commonly used to instruct someone to stop talking or making noise.
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💡Pro Tip
Usage in Different Contexts
While 'keep quiet' is generally informal, it can be used in both casual and formal settings, depending on the tone and context.
⚡Gold Rule
Politeness
When asking someone to 'keep quiet', it's often more polite to use a softer phrase like 'could you please be quiet?' or 'could you please keep the noise down?'
📖Word Origin
The phrase 'keep quiet' is a combination of the verb 'keep' and the adjective 'quiet', both of which have Old English origins. 'Keep' comes from the Old English 'cēpan', while 'quiet' comes from the Old French 'quiet' meaning 'peaceful' or 'calm'.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in informal contexts to ask someone to stop talking or making noise. It can also be used to instruct someone to not reveal certain information.