He tries to keep it between the ditches every single day.
keep it between the ditches
idiomTo stay out of trouble or follow a righteous (God-fearing) path.
Origin
disputed originOriginally an Irish saying referring to keeping your horse (and buggy) on the road when either the terrain or your spirit or speed was challenging, it was brought to America by immigrant settlers and made popular in the Southern states. It was also popularised by the fictional "Duke Brothers " in the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard" based in rural Georgia. In recent years the phase has morphed into the meaning of "Clean Living", The rock band Drive By Truckers used the phrase in their song "The Righteous Path." Some members of the band are from the northern part of Alabama.
My grandfather always told me that if I want a peaceful life, I need to keep it between the ditches.
Despite the many temptations that surrounded him in the city, he remained committed to his values and managed to keep it between the ditches.
- 01
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 02
earn one's keep
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
- 03
gift that keeps on giving
Something with continuous (typically positive) consequences.
- 04
hurler on the ditch
A person standing on the side of a hurling field issuing (unsolicited and usually unwanted) instructions to the hurlers.
- 05
itch the ditch
To masturbate by stimulating one's vagina.
- 06
keep a civil tongue in one's head
To maintain a polite manner of speaking.
- 07
keep a close watch
to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
- 08
keep a cool head
To keep one's cool; to stay calm.
Last updated April 17, 2026