lid

[ lid ]

noun

1. a removable or hinged cover for closing the opening, usually at the top, of a pot, jar, trunk, etc.; a movable cover.
2. an eyelid.
3. a restraint, ceiling, or curb, as on prices or news.
4. Slang. a hat, cap, or other head covering.
5. (in mosses)
   1. the cover of the capsule; operculum.
   2. the upper section of a pyxidium.
6. Slang. one ounce of marijuana.

verb (used with object)

, lid·ded, lid·ding.

1. to supply or cover with a lid.

lid

/ lɪd /

noun

1. a cover, usually removable or hinged, for a receptacle

   a desk lid

   a saucepan lid

2. short for eyelid
3. botany another name for operculum
4. slang.
   short for skidlid
5. old-fashioned.
   a quantity of marijuana, usually an ounce
6. dip one's lid informal.
   to raise one's hat as a greeting, etc
7. flip one's lid slang.
   to become crazy or angry
8. put the lid on informal.
   1. to be the final blow to
   2. to curb, prevent, or discourage
9. take the lid off informal.
   to make startling or spectacular revelations about

Derived Forms

• ˈlidded, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·lid noun
• un·der·lid noun
• un·lid·ded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lid¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hlid; cognate with Dutch, German lid, Old Norse hlith gate, gateway

Word History and Origins

Origin of lid¹

Old English hlid; related to Old Friesian hlid, Old High German hlit cover

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. blow the lid off, Informal. to expose to public view, especially to reveal something scandalous, illegal, etc.
2. blow / flip one's lid, Slang. to lose control, especially to rage hysterically: Also flip one's wig.

   He nearly flipped his lid over the way they damaged his car.

More idioms and phrases containing lid

see blow the lid off ; flip one's lid ; put the lid on .

Example Sentences

Johnson told reporters on Friday that he's going to ask the House Ethics Committee to keep a tight lid on any of their findings from a years-long probe into former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

From Salon

Great tits flew to fame in the 1920s after birds started opening the foil lids of milk bottles to feed on the cream within.

From Science Daily

If the Legislature approves, the lid on California’s film and TV tax credit program could be raised to $750 million as soon as July.

From Los Angeles Times

Her eyeliner, by the way, has moved to her lower lid to outline her soul’s darkness.

From Salon

He says that when he last saw it, several months into the war, he lifted the lid and found that some of the strings had been cut and some of the hammers broken.

From BBC

Related Words

• cap
• roof