Keep people straight Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkip/ /ˈpipəɫ/ /ˈstɹeɪt

KEEP PEE-puhl STRAYT

UK

kˈiːp/ /pˈiːpəl/ /stɹˈeɪt

KEEP PEE-puhl STRAYT

Definition

To remember who is who among people so you do not confuse them with each other, especially when several people are similar or new to you.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and conversational. Often used when meeting many new people or when several people have similar traits (names, looks, roles). Used with 'hard to keep people straight' or 'can't keep people straight'.

• Spanish: no confundir a las personas - distinguir a las personas
• Portuguese (BR): não confundir as pessoas - lembrar quem é quem
• Portuguese (PT): não confundir as pessoas - lembrar quem é quem
• Chinese (Simplified): 区分人们 - 不把人弄混
• Chinese (Traditional): 區分人們 - 不把人弄混
• Hindi: लोगों को अलग-अलग समझना - लोगों को न मिलाना
• Arabic: عدم الخلط بين الناس - تمييز الأشخاص
• Bengali: মানুষকে আলাদা করে চিনতে রাখা - কাউকে ভুল না করা
• Russian: не путать людей - различать людей
• Japanese: 人を混同しない - 人の区別をつける
• Vietnamese: phân biệt mọi người - không nhầm lẫn ai với ai
• Korean: 사람들을 구별하다 - 사람을 헷갈리지 않다
• Turkish: insanları karıştırmamak - insanları ayırt etmek
• Urdu: لوگوں کو الگ الگ رکھنا - لوگوں کو نہ ملانا
• Indonesian: tidak mencampuradukkan orang - membedakan orang

Example Sentences

It's hard to keep people straight when you meet many new coworkers at once.

basic

After meeting her twin sisters, I couldn't keep people straight.

basic

Teachers must learn to keep people straight in large classes.

basic

With so many Jasons in the team, I can’t keep people straight anymore!

natural

Sorry if I called you by the wrong name—I'm still trying to keep people straight here.

natural

Whenever there are three people named Sarah in class, I absolutely can't keep people straight.

natural