lid

 
Pronunciation: /lɪd/

noun

  • a removable or hinged cover for the top of a container: a dustbin lid
  • (usually lids) an eyelid: eyes hooded beneath heavy lids
  • the top crust of a pie.
  • Botany the operculum of a moss capsule.
  • informal a hat or crash helmet: I’ve got a lid for you to try on

Phrases

keep a (or the) lid on

informal
keep (an emotion or process) from going out of control: she couldn’t keep the lid on her simmering anger
keep secret: she keeps a very tight lid on her private life

put a (or the) lid on

informal put a stop to: it’s time to put the lid on all the talk

put the lid (or the tin lid) on it

British informal be the culmination of a series of acts or events that makes a situation unbearable: he has been in a lot of pain and this just puts the lid on it

take (or lift) the lid off (or lift the lid on)

informal reveal unwelcome secrets about: the programme lifts the lid on the true scale of the bungled police investigation

Derivatives

lidded

adjective

lidless

adjective

Origin:

Old English hlid, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning 'cover'; related to Dutch lid