keep yourself to yourself

keep (oneself) to (oneself)

To refrain from attempting to communicate or make connections with others. You'll never make friends if you keep yourself to yourself all the time. The old man down the street always kept himself to himself. I never even knew his name until my parents pointed out his obituary.
See also: keep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep yourself to yourself

avoid contact or communication with others; be retiring and solitary.
See also: keep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

keep yourˌself to yourˈself

avoid meeting people socially or becoming involved in their affairs: My neighbour keeps himself to himself. We smile and say ‘good morning,’ but that’s all.
See also: keep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep (oneself) to (oneself)
  • keep oneself to oneself
  • keep to
  • keep oneself to oneself, to
  • work (oneself) up
  • work oneself up
  • work up
  • worked up
  • help (oneself) to
  • help to
References in classic literature
'Then p'raps, Sir, you'll confine yourself to breaking the arms and legs of the poor people in the hospitals, and keep yourself TO yourself, Sir, or there may be some persons here as will make you, Sir.'
"It has a good community feel with lots going on, but if you'd rather keep yourself to yourself, people will respect that, too," said Jayne.
Avoid controversy and try to keep yourself to yourself. If you're ready to take a break, don't let anyone force you to change your mind.
TAURUS GEMINI CANCER For more call 0905 789 4175 (80p/min + network access charge) VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22 CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES AVOID controversy and try to keep yourself to yourself. If you're ready to take a break, don't let anyone force you to change your mind.
Liverpool People It might be hard for people to understand life on Merseyside, You can keep yourself to yourself, but if you need any help, friends will be there by your side, There is no need to isolate yourself and live your life as if there is only you out there, Merseyside people will make friends with you, and you will feel better knowing that they care, Liverpool people have a sense of humour which helps them cope with life, It also lubricates friendships and gets them to know each other, no matter what religion or colour, black or white, That is why in times of crisis on Merseyside, you don't need to hide away, Nobody has to even ask for help, it is taken for granted, it is the Liverpool way, How would another city have coped with the likes of Hillsborough?
You always have to be careful around here and keep yourself to yourself."
You live on a quiet street, keep yourself to yourself, yet some of the people smile, as if you might have begun to belong.
"You keep yourself to yourself. I found it hard meeting people and socialising.
This comes in a bid to "melt the ice" and help Brummies turn away from a growing "keep yourself to yourself" culture towards a warmer, friendlier and more supportive one.
"The 'keep yourself to yourself ' mentality has crept in over the years.
"Everyone is caught up in the expectation and anticipation of it for a week beforehand, so you keep yourself to yourself.
"I think it's best to keep yourself to yourself and then you can't get involved.
"But, if you really want to help me, you'll just have to keep yourself to yourself, which I know is very hard."
"As long as you keep yourself to yourself and stick with the familiar routines that you are used to, things outside football shouldn't really get to you.
They keep telling me, 'you are a rock star now and you should keep yourself to yourself' but I just can't get used to it.