“keep within limits”是一个常用的英语短语,核心含义是“将……控制在范围内;不超出限制;保持适度”,强调使某事物(行为、数量、程度等)不越过预设的、合理的或规定的“边界”。
keep:维持、保持
within:在……之内
limits:限制、界限(可指具体的规则、数值,或抽象的“适度范围”)
该短语通常用于约束或管理某事物的“度”,后面可接具体的限制对象(如开支、时间、情绪、数量等),也可通过“keep within the limits of + 具体范围”进一步明确限制条件。
常见于财务、饮食、资源等场景,强调“不超量”。
We need to keep our monthly expenses within limits to save for the trip.(我们得把月度开支控制在范围内,以便为旅行存钱。)
The recipe says to keep the sugar within the limits of 50g—any more will make it too sweet.(食谱要求糖的用量控制在50克以内——再多就太甜了。)
可指控制情绪、噪音、工作强度等,避免过度。
Please keep your noise within limits—the baby is sleeping.(请把噪音控制住——宝宝在睡觉。)
It’s crucial to keep your temper within limits in a professional setting.(职场中控制情绪不过激很重要。)
指不违反事先设定的规则或边界(如法律、政策、协议等)。
All construction work must keep within the limits of the city’s noise ordinance.(所有建筑施工必须遵守城市噪音法规的限制。)
The project must keep within the limits of the approved budget.(项目必须控制在获批的预算范围内。)
当强调“被约束”时,常用被动结构“be kept within limits”。
Expenses are kept within limits by strict budget reviews.(通过严格的预算审核,开支被控制在范围内。)
His screen time is kept within limits by his parents to protect his eyes.(父母限制他的屏幕时间以保护眼睛。)
stay within limits:与“keep within limits”几乎同义,更强调“维持在范围内”。
keep within bounds:bounds 与 limits 含义相近,侧重“合理边界”(如“keep your comments within bounds”意为“发言不要越界”)。
go beyond limits / exceed limits:超出限制(如“His spending has gone beyond limits this month”意为“他这个月开支超支了”)。
“keep within limits”是一个实用的约束性短语,适用于需要“控制、节制、遵守边界”的场景,核心是“不越界”。理解其含义后,可根据具体对象(如钱、时间、行为)灵活搭配使用。