Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English
Neil: And hello, I'm Neil. Phwa!
Feifei: Rob's homemade cooking.
But it doesn't taste very nice.
Neil: So why do you have to eat it -
Feifei: Well, I don't want to offend him.
And I just tell him 'it's interesting,
Feifei: Well, if you think that'll stop
Neil: That's not what I meant, although
it's a good idea. If you 'keep
it means to keep something under control
- to stop the situation getting worse.
I couldn't keep a lid on my feelings about
the rota so I shouted at the boss!
With rising food prices, it's hard to keep
Feifei: This is The English We Speak from
BBC Learning English and we're looking at
the phrase 'to keep a lid on something'
to stop the situation from getting worse.
But this isn't the only meaning, is it?
Neil: No. If you keep a lid on something,
something secret. Like this...
I've heard that Daisy is expecting a baby
- but keep a lid on it until it's official!
Feifei: OK Neil, you're telling me to keep
a lid on things by telling Rob to stop
Neil: Yes - unless his cooking is amazing.
Neil: Right, well tell him you're on a diet or
him. And I will keep your little lie a secret.
Feifei: You mean, you'll keep a lid on it?
Neil: Exactly. But in the meantime, could
you actually keep a lid on that box of food
Feifei: OK. Right, I'm off to speak to Rob.
Bye.