From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishkeep a/the lid on somethingkeep a/the lid on somethingCONTROLto 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. → lid
Examples from the Corpus
keep a/the lid on something• Additionally, falling prices for key commodities, like copper, are keeping a lid on most manufacturing costs.• Unlike Anthony, Geoffrey could keep a lid on his temper.• In the meantime, Father Glynn hoped that Jim Maier could keep a lid on the place.• Support the possibility of keeping a lid on tax increases.• All this will combine to keep the lid on prices.• Up with the lark and wanting to get out of town, I have to keep the lid on my impatience.• A flurry of fists and boots followed as local referee Ignacio Silva struggled to keep the lid on.• He apparently hoped this would keep the lid on the operation. 