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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

keeps you honest

English answer:

keeps you out of trouble/harm\'s way

Added to glossary by S.J
Apr 27, 2021 02:59
3 yrs ago
34 viewers *
English term

keeps you honest

Non-PRO English Other General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters keeps you honest
I chopped my first tree when I was 14. I don't mind it. It keeps you honest. Definitely get a good night's sleep out of it.

It is someone who is talking about his work in banana tree chopping. I didn't get what he would say by "keeps you honest" when he is talking about tree chopping. The material is Australian.

Thanks in advance,
Responses
4 +6 keeps you out of trouble/harm's way
4 -1 no regrets and I did what I did
4 -2 following a diet

Discussion

S.J (asker) Apr 28, 2021:
Thank you all.
Yvonne Gallagher Apr 27, 2021:
@ Asker "Definitely get a good night's sleep out of it." is the clue to meaning. An honest day's work is work that is not underhand or illicit or criminal so no need for any guilt or worries. Just makes you tired so you sleep well
Daryo Apr 27, 2021:
Or in French "l'oisiveté est la mère de tous les vices"

Yes, that's the underlying logic.
Mark Robertson Apr 27, 2021:
It keeps you honest Idle hands are the devil's tools.

An idle person is likely to do something evil. people are more likely to do something bad and get into trouble when they have nothing to do.

https://www.theidioms.com/idle-hands-are-the-devils-tools/#:...

Responses

+6
1 hr
Selected

keeps you out of trouble/harm's way

This doesn't necessarily mean it prevents you from committing crimes - it could just mean it gives you gainful employment so you're not hanging around on the street.
Peer comment(s):
agree Mark Robertson
2 hrs
agree Daryo : yes, or "keeps you away from temptation" - so you stay honest.
4 hrs
agree Orkoyen (X) : Yes, as in keeps you on the straight and narrow.
7 hrs
agree Charlotte Fleming
7 hrs
agree Cilian O'Tuama : You're busy, have no time to think about 'deviating'...
19 hrs
agree Christine Andersen : And you are healthily tired at the end of the day, so you sleep well after exercise as much as because your conscience is clear
1 day 3 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you."
-2
13 mins

following a diet

It is not rare in AE to use the word "honest" when it comes to following a diet.
Reference:

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/to-keep-me-honest.3308909/

Peer comment(s):
disagree Daryo : no. this is off-off-off tangent.
6 hrs
disagree Yvonne Gallagher : not the meaning
9 hrs
Something went wrong...
-1
14 mins

no regrets and I did what I did

in this context

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Note added at 16 mins (2021-04-27 03:16:14 GMT)
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he's actually proud of what he did and will lose no sleep over it

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Note added at 18 mins (2021-04-27 03:17:33 GMT)
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might have been ok at the time and seen as productive although nowadays another story

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Note added at 27 mins (2021-04-27 03:26:47 GMT)
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implication is that he did a good day's work and proud of it

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 30 mins (2021-04-27 03:30:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

he's saying that he's a hard worker and that that's the way to go
Peer comment(s):
disagree Daryo : might sound plausible in this context, but it has nothing to do with the underlying logic that's behind "It keeps you honest"
6 hrs
oh I think it does Daryo... have you read the full context?
neutral Yvonne Gallagher : not explained fully though close enough on 5th attempt!
9 hrs
very kind of you Yvonne and I think we have to consider the full context
Something went wrong...
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