A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

keep the wheels turning • spin the wheels
keep the wheels turning —(also: keep the ball rolling) keep an
activity, process, etc. going: His class interest tells him to sup-
ply the public with as much purchasing power as possible, to
keep the wheels turning.
spin the wheels —(U.S. coll.) act in a listless or unproductive
manner: You will have to spend at least two hours studying
on your own, and it has to be time well spent, rather than
“spinning the wheels.”
See also: put one’s shoulder to the wheel / set the wheels in
motion.
keep to oneself • retire into oneself
keep to oneself —(also: keep oneself to oneself ) remain unso-
ciable; avoid meeting other people : He’d kept to himself
on that trip, not really making eye contact or talking to the
locals.
retire into oneself —become quiet and unwilling to talk :
When she saw that complaints did not alter me, she retired
into herself, as it were; and I saw less and less of her.
keep up with the times • time-keeper
keep up with the times —remain informed about the latest
news, fashions, etc.: For people who keep up with the times,
this is the perfect opportunity to check out new products.
time-keeper —
1
. a person who records or manages the time:
Band members will wait for the instruction of the time-keeper
before going on stage. 2. (UK) an employee considered in
keep someone down
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terms of his punctuality: Jane is a hard worker, very method-
ical, and a good time-keeper. 3. said of a watch or clock: This
is a Bulova military style wrist watch and for its age it is super
clean and a good time-keeper.
Kentish man • Man of Kent
Kentish man —(UK dated) a native of Kent born east of the
river Medway: The strong Kentish Man, gave three proofs of
his extraordinary strength before his Majesty.
Man of Kent—(UK dated) a native of Kent born west of the
river Medway: Man of Kent, a title claimed by the inhabitants
of the Weald as their peculiar designation: all others they
regard as Kentish men.