| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | hlid |
1 a cover for the open part of a pot, box, or other container
cover
[countable]D2 an eyelid
eye
[countable]HBH3 to control a situation very carefully, especially so that it does not cause problems :
keeping the lid on inflation
Kline keeps a very tight lid on his private life.
keep a/the lid on something
keeping the lid on inflation
Kline keeps a very tight lid on his private life.4 to do something that finally stops something or ruins or ends someone's plans or hopes :
Let's put a lid on all these rumours.
put a/the lid on something
informal
Let's put a lid on all these rumours.5 to let people know the true facts about a bad or shocking situation :
a documentary that takes the lid off the world of organized crime
take the lid off something
also lift the lid on something
a documentary that takes the lid off the world of organized crime

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