# keep it one hundred

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/keep-it-one-hundred
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be authentic, to be true to oneself.

## Examples

- You should always keep it one hundred with your friends.
- I always keep it one hundred when I give my honest opinion on fashion.
- You keep it one hundred by admitting you made a mistake at work.
- I know the news is difficult to hear, but I appreciate you keeping it one hundred with me.
- I need to keep it one hundred and tell my boss that I cannot finish this project by Friday without more help.
- Even though it might hurt their feelings, she decided to keep it one hundred about why the party was so boring.
- The athlete gained many new fans because he kept it one hundred during the interview instead of giving scripted answers.
- Despite the immense pressure to conform to the expectations of his peers, he chose to keep it one hundred and speak his truth.

## Origin

The expression is an ellipsis of the phrase keep it real one hundred percent. The construction relies on the numerical value to signify total authenticity, a truncation that removes the explicit reference to reality and the fractional marker while retaining the full weight of the proportion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.