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Definition of keep someone in his (or her) place in US English:
keep someone in his (or her) place
phrase
Keep someone from becoming presumptuous.
‘He described that decision as ‘completely and utterly barmy’, adding: ‘Clearly, in retrospect, it was designed to overload her and switch her off because he wanted to keep her in her place.’’
‘She tolerated her more sociable brother with a grace that alternated between good and ill, occasionally battering him with an outstretched paw to keep him in his place.’
‘His instincts implored him to edge forward, but the gunpowder barrels, whether full or not, kept him in his place.’
‘Forcefully taken away from this home, which probably never felt quite comfortable, she is now recreating it as a useless cage that keeps her in her place as an immigrant.’
‘From his perspective this will just be another in a long run of attempts to keep him in his place by Downing Street.’
‘As much as I love him, keeping him in his place on the show kept me on my toes.’
‘Despite his military accomplishments, which overshadow his own, it seems that the only thing most white Americans care about is putting and keeping him in his place.’
‘The Prince loves her deeply, but he also wants to keep her in her place.’
‘Mom, however, pointed a judging finger at him and gave him the patented Mom-deathstare, which kept him in his place.’
‘But she still wants to keep him in his place, because she knows who will replace her when she loses the next general election.’