lid S3 /lɪd/ BrE AmE noun
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: hlid ]
1 . COVER [countable] a cover for the open part of a pot, box, or other container
dustbin/saucepan etc lid
the name on the coffin lid
lid of
He carefully lifted the lid of the box.
⇨ ↑ top 1 (4)
2 . EYE [countable] an ↑ eyelid
3 . keep a/the lid on something to control a situation very carefully, especially so that it does not cause problems:
keeping the lid on inflation
Kline keeps a very tight lid on his private life.
4 . put a/the lid on something informal to do something that finally stops something or ruins or ends someone’s plans or hopes:
Let’s put a lid on all these rumours.
5 . take the lid off something ( also lift the lid on something ) to let people know the true facts about a bad or shocking situation:
a documentary that takes the lid off the world of organized crime
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ cover something that is put on or over something else to protect it, for example a piece of metal, plastic, or glass:
a manhole cover
|
the cover that goes over the barbecue
▪ covering a layer of something, or a sheet of something, that covers something else:
There was light covering of snow on the ground.
|
The hard shell acts as a protective covering.
|
the cloth coverings on the altar
▪ lid a cover for a container such as a pan or a box:
the lid of the box
|
a saucepan lid
▪ top/cap the thing that you put on top of a bottle, tube, or pen, in order to prevent the liquid or other things inside from coming out:
I can’t find the cap for the pen.
|
Put the top back on the milk!
|
the cap that goes on the toothpaste
▪ cork the top part that you put on top of a bottle of wine:
Can you take off the cork for me?
▪ wrapping ( also wrap especially American English ) a sheet of paper, plastic etc that is put around something in order to cover or protect it:
John tore the wrapping off his presents.
|
The lamp was still in its wrapping.
▪ wrapper a piece of paper or plastic that is put around something you buy, especially a small object:
Put the candy wrappers in your pocket.
|
He took the drinking straw out of its wrapper.