keel

The main beam along the bottom of a boat, running from front to back.

• The boat has a wooden keel.
• Its keel struck a rock near the shore.
• Workers laid the keel before building the rest of the ship.

Common phrases: ship keel, wooden keel, lay the keel, steel keel

A steady, balanced condition, used in the expression on an even keel.

• Our finances are on an even keel.
• The company returned to an even keel after the crisis.
• Regular maintenance keeps operations on an even keel.

How to use it: on an even keel (The new manager kept the business on an even keel.)

Similar words: stability, balance

Opposites: instability

Common phrases: an even keel, on an even keel

A calm, balanced emotional state, used in the expression on an even keel.

• Sleep helps me stay on an even keel.
• He kept an even keel throughout the argument.
• She needs quiet time to get back on an even keel.

How to use it: on an even keel (Daily walks help keep her on an even keel.)

Similar words: calmness, composure

Common phrases: an even keel, on an even keel

A flat part below a boat that helps it stay upright and move in the right direction.

• The yacht has a deep keel.
• Its heavy keel helps prevent it from tipping over.
• A damaged keel can make a sailboat difficult to control.

Common phrases: fin keel, deep keel, boat keel

If someone does this, they suddenly fall down because they are weak, ill, or hurt.

• I felt ready to keel over.
• She keeled over while waiting for the bus.
• The heat made several runners keel over.

How to use it: keel over (He keeled over from exhaustion.)

Similar words: collapse, fall down

Common phrases: keel over, keel over suddenly, keel over backwards

If a boat does this, it tips onto its side or turns upside down.

• The boat began to keel over.
• A sudden wave made the yacht keel over.
• Two small boats keeled over near the harbor.

How to use it: keel over (The little boat keeled over in the storm.)

Similar words: capsize, overturn

Common phrases: keel over, boats keel over

Usually calm and emotionally balanced, as in even keeled.

• She is usually even keeled.
• His even keeled approach helped everyone relax.
• Despite the pressure, he remained even keeled.

Common phrases: even keeled, an even keeled