Keep to a minimum Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkip/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈmɪnəməm

KEEP-tuh-uh-MIN-uh-mum

UK

kˈiːp/ /tˈuː/ /æɪ/ /mˈɪnɪməm

KEEP-tuh-uh-MIN-i-mum

Definition

To make something as small, low, or few as possible; to limit something to the least amount necessary.

Usage & Nuances

This is a formal or semi-formal phrase, often used in business, instructions, or polite requests (e.g., 'Please keep noise to a minimum'). Common with 'effort, cost, risk, noise,' etc. Use 'keep something to a minimum,' not 'keep in minimum.'

• Spanish: mantener al mínimo
• Portuguese (BR): manter ao mínimo
• Portuguese (PT): manter ao mínimo
• Chinese (Simplified): 尽量减少 - 保持在最低限度
• Chinese (Traditional): 盡量減少 - 保持在最低限度
• Hindi: न्यूनतम रखना
• Arabic: إبقاء الحد الأدنى
• Bengali: সর্বনিম্নে রাখা - যতটা সম্ভব কম রাখা
• Russian: свести к минимуму
• Japanese: 最小限に抑える
• Vietnamese: giữ ở mức tối thiểu
• Korean: 최소한으로 유지하다
• Turkish: en aza indirmek
• Urdu: کم سے کم رکھنا
• Indonesian: menjaga seminimal mungkin

Example Sentences

Please keep to a minimum when using your phone in the library.

basic

We need to keep costs to a minimum for this project.

basic

To save time, let’s keep the meeting to a minimum.

basic

If you can't avoid mistakes, just keep them to a minimum.

natural

Try to keep talking to a minimum while the movie is playing.

natural

I’ll fix it, but let’s keep the drama to a minimum, okay?

natural