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keep quiet
/kiːp kwaɪət/
to remain silent
The teacher asked the students to keep quiet during the exam.
The teacher wanted the students to remain silent to avoid distractions.
informal
To refrain from speaking or making noise.
The librarian told us to keep quiet while reading.
The librarian wanted us to remain silent to maintain a peaceful environment.
This phrase is commonly used to request silence in various settings.
Collocations
keep quiet aboutto not talk about somethingkeep quiet and listento remain silent and pay attention
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Politeness
Use 'keep quiet' politely by adding 'please' or 'if you don't mind'.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The phrase can be used in both formal and informal settings, but the tone should match the situation.
Word Origin
The phrase 'keep quiet' is a combination of the verb 'keep' and the adjective 'quiet', both of which are Old English in origin.
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used as a polite or firm request for silence, depending on the tone and context.
Word Breakdown
keep
to maintain a state
verbquiet
silent or making little noise
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary