kept the peace
Maintained public order
Kept the peace means maintained order and prevented conflict or violence.
The phrase applies to authorities like police officers who enforce laws and prevent disturbances, but also to individuals who smooth over disagreements or prevent arguments from escalating.
The sheriff kept the peace in the frontier town.
She kept the peace at Thanksgiving by steering conversation away from politics.
Someone who keeps the peace prioritizes harmony and stability over confrontation.
- de-escalationReducing conflict intensity
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- law and orderGovernance through enforced rules
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- conflict resolutionSettling disputes between parties
unity · ceasefire · compromise · common ground · policing · negotiation · olive branch · deterrence · collaboration · conciliation · mutual respect · governance · intervened · neutral party · arbitration · adjudication · treaty · diplomacy
kept the peacefanned the flames
Intensified a volatile situation
stirred the pot · rocked the boat · agitated · antagonized · made waves
kept the peacedestabilized
Made less secure
upset the apple cart · threw a wrench in the works · ran amok
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