keeps the peace
Maintains calm order
To keep the peace is to prevent conflict or maintain order.
Police officers and peacekeepers keep the peace professionally.
In everyday life, someone who keeps the peace smooths over disagreements or avoids provocation: I didn't argue—I just wanted to keep the peace.
The phrase often implies restraint or compromise to preserve harmony.
- pacifyTo calm agitation
- olive branchSymbol of reconciliation
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- family mediatorNeutral party resolving kinship conflicts
- policeCivil law enforcement
calm · settle · hush · diplomacy · guard · silence · law enforcement · neighborhood watch · truce · ceasefire agreement · compromise · arbitrator · cooperation · conciliation · quiet word · cooling off period · nod · empathy
keeps the peaceprovokes
Incites a reaction
agitates · fans the flames · instigates · incites · stirs the pot
keeps the peacetroublemaker
One who creates discord
agitator · instigator · provocateur · rabble-rouser · firebrand
keep, keeps, kept, keeping, keeper, keepers, upkeep, safekeeping, peace