keep (something) to a minimum
keep (something) to a minimum
1. To refrain from using or creating something very much or at all. Audience members are being asked to keep noise to a minimum for the duration of the performance. The candidates kept personal attacks to a minimum during the debate. Real-world slang and idioms should be kept to a minimum, or your fantasy settings may seem inauthentic to readers.
2. To ensure that something is not used or does not occur much or at all. The banks have done a much better job at keeping fraudulent activities to a minimum. The government has laid out its plans for keeping carbon emissions to a minimum moving forward.
See also: keep, minimum
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
keep something to a minimum
to make something as small, few, or little as possible. Do what you can to keep construction dust to a minimum. The dust should be kept to a minimum.
See also: keep, minimum
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- keep to a minimum
- minimum
- hold one's tongue, to
- abstain
- keep off (of) (one's) case
- keep hands to
- keep (one's) hands to (oneself)
- keep (something) in proportion
- keep from (doing something)
- keep from doing