keep someone honest

English

Verb

keep someone honest (third-person singular simple present keeps someone honest, present participle keeping someone honest, simple past and past participle kept someone honest)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see keep,‎ honest.
2. (sports) To continue to compete strongly against someone despite being in an inferior position, so as not to allow one's opponent an easy victory.

   Jones is down ten games to two, but still keeping his opponent honest.