Part 116

Keep aff and gie fair words.

Or promise much, but perform little.

"The assets he carried off are of nae mair use to him than if he were to light his pipe wi' them. He tried if MacVittie & Co. wad gie him siller on them--that I ken by Andro Wylie; but they were ower auld cats to draw that strae afore them--they keepit aff and gae fair words."--Rob Roy.

Keep a thing seven years, and ye'll find a use for't.

Keep gude company, and ye'll be counted ane o' them.

Keep hame, and hame will keep you.

Keep out o' his company that cracks o' his cheatery.

Shun the company of him who boasts of his cunning.

Keep something for a sair fit.

"Keep something for a rainy day."--English.

Keep the feast till the feast day.

Keep the head and feet warm, and the rest will tak nae harm.

Keep the staff in your ain hand.

Keep woo, and it will be dirt; keep lint, and it will be silk.

"Lint mellows and improves by keeping, but wool rots."--Kelly.

Keep your ain fish-guts to your ain sea-maws.

"'Why, Mrs Heukbane,' said the woman of letters, pursing up her mouth, 'ye ken my gudeman likes to ride the expresses himsel--we maun gie our ain fish-guts to our ain sea-maws--it's a red half-guinea to him every time he munts his mear.'"--The Antiquary.

Keep your ain cart-grease for your ain cart-wheels.

Of similar meaning to the preceding proverb.

Keep your breath to cool your parritch.

Applied to people who are angry without cause, or exercising undue authority.

"The only wiselike thing I heard ony body say, was decent Mr John Kirk of Kirk-knowe, and he wussed them just to get the king's mercy, and nae mair about it. But he spak to unreasonable folk--he might just hae keepit his breath to hae blawn on his porridge."--Heart of Midlothian.

Keep your gab steekit when ye kenna your company.

Be silent or cautious in speaking when in the company of strangers.

Keep your kiln-dried taunts for your mouldy hair'd maidens.

"A disdainful return to those who are too liberal with their taunts."--Kelly.

Keep your mocks till ye're married.

Keep your mouth shut and your een open.