Definition of keep someone in his (or her) place in US English:

phrase

• Keep someone from becoming presumptuous.

  Example sentences

  • ‘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.’