# put a lid on it

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-a-lid-on-it
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be quiet; to shut up; to stop talking about something or making noise.

## Examples

- The teacher told the students to put a lid on it.
- The meeting was getting too loud, so the manager asked everyone to put a lid on it.
- After the argument escalated into shouting, the moderator demanded that both parties put a lid on it so the discussion could continue.

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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.