keep
61 ENTRIES FOUND:
- keep (verb)
- keep (noun)
- keeping (noun)
- appearance (noun)
- ball (noun)
- body (noun)
- button (verb)
- card (noun)
- chin (noun)
- clean (adjective)
- cool (noun)
- count (noun)
- dangle (verb)
- distance (noun)
- door (noun)
- down (adverb)
- dry (adjective)
- eye (noun)
- faith (noun)
- finger (noun)
- foot (noun)
- glue (verb)
- ground (noun)
- guess (verb)
- hair (noun)
- hand (noun)
- hat (noun)
- head (noun)
- house (noun)
- Joneses (noun)
- lid (noun)
- lookout (noun)
- mouth (noun)
- nose (noun)
- open (adjective)
- pace (noun)
- pants (noun)
- pecker (noun)
- peel (verb)
- picture (noun)
- place (noun)
- post (verb)
- powder (noun)
- quiet (adjective)
- real (adjective)
- roll (verb)
- score (noun)
- sharp (adjective)
- shirt (noun)
- shut (adjective)
- skin (verb)
- sleeve (noun)
- soul (noun)
- sweet (adjective)
- tab (noun)
- time (noun)
- toe (noun)
- track (noun)
- water (noun)
- weather (noun)
- wolf (noun)
Britannica Dictionary definition of KEEP
1
[+ object]
:
to continue having or holding (something)
:
to not return, lose, sell, give away, or throw away (something)
-
She's going to keep the money she found.
-
I can't decide whether to sell my old car or keep it for another year.
-
While the company laid off some employees, others had hopes of keeping their jobs.
-
The shirt will keep [=retain] its shape after many washings.
-
an actress who has kept her looks/beauty [=continued to be attractive/beautiful] as she has grown older
-
“The fare is $4.” “Here's $5. Keep the change.”
-
He struggled to keep his cool/composure. [=to remain calm; to not become upset or angry]
-
He vowed to keep his silence about what he had seen. [=to not tell anyone about what he had seen]
2
a
[linking verb]
:
to continue in a specified state, condition, or position
-
I asked them to keep quiet.
-
keep still/warm
-
He vowed to keep silent about what he had seen. [=to not tell anyone about what he had seen]
-
She likes to keep [=stay] busy.
-
The program teaches kids how to keep safe near water.
-
Have you kept in touch with your college roommate? [=have you continued to talk to or write to your college roommate?]
b
[+ object]
:
to cause (someone or something) to continue in a specified state, condition, or position
-
I tried to keep the children quiet during the ceremony.
-
The local newspaper keeps people informed about what's happening in town.
-
The article offers tips on how to keep kids safe near water.
-
The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat.
-
We need to keep costs under control.
-
This scarf will help keep you warm.
-
She keeps herself fit by jogging.
-
He kept his hands behind his back while we were talking.
-
Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
-
It was so cold inside that I kept my coat on.
-
I promise I'll keep your decision a secret. [=I will not tell anyone your decision]
-
Keep the mixture chilled until you are ready to serve it.
3
[+ object]
a
:
to cause or force (someone) to stay in a place
-
I won't keep you (here) much longer.
-
The doctors want to keep me in (the hospital) for further tests.
-
If you're in a hurry, don't let me keep you.
-
keep a prisoner in jail
-
She kept the children in the house during the storm.
-
There was nothing to keep me in the city.
b
:
to cause (someone) to be late
-
You're late. What kept you? [=what delayed you?; why are you late?]
4
[+ object]
a
:
to do (something) continuously or again and again
— + -ing verb
— often + on
-
The teacher asked them to be quiet, but they just kept talking.
-
The rain kept falling all afternoon.
-
The dog keeps running away.
-
Keep walking/driving until you come to a traffic light.
-
The band's music just keeps on getting better (and better).
-
I'll never get this work done if you keep on interrupting me.
b
:
to cause (someone or something) to do something continuously or again and again
— + -ing verb
—
see also keep going (below)
-
She has a desire for success that keeps her striving to do better.
-
His boss kept him waiting [=forced him to wait] for over an hour.
-
They want to keep the company growing.
5
[+ object]
a
:
to do what is required by (something, such as a promise)
-
She always keeps her promises/word. [=she always does what she promises to do; she always does what she says she will do]
-
He failed to keep his appointment. [=he did not go to his appointment; he missed his appointment]
b
:
to not tell (a secret)
-
I can keep a secret.
-
a poorly kept secret [=a secret that has been told to many people]
-
a well-kept secret [=a secret that has not been told to people]
c
somewhat formal
:
to act properly in relation to (something)
-
He keeps [=observes] the Sabbath.
-
They keep kosher.
6
[+ object]
a
:
to store (something) in a specified place
-
They keep the ketchup in the refrigerator.
-
I keep my socks in a drawer.
-
The sheets are kept in the closet.
-
He keeps his wallet in his back pocket.
b
:
to have or hold (something) for later use instead of using it now
-
We'll eat some of the cookies now and keep [=save] some for later.
-
I'll keep my news until later. [=I'll tell you my news later]
-
(Brit) Would you keep [=(US) save] a seat for me?
7
[no object]
of food
:
to continue to be in a good condition
— sometimes used figuratively
-
Carrots and potatoes keep well.
-
The meat will keep in the freezer for several months.
-
I have something to tell you, but it will keep. [=I can tell you later]
8
[+ object]
formal
:
to protect (someone)
— usually + from
-
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
-
May the Lord keep you from harm.
9
[+ object]
:
to produce (something, such as a journal or record) by putting information in a book, document, etc., over a period of time
-
She kept a diary/journal.
-
He keeps a detailed record of all his purchases.
-
She keeps a list of books for future reading.
10
[+ object]
a
:
to take care of (something)
-
keep [=tend] a garden
-
We kept chickens and goats when I was a child.
b
:
to operate (something, such as a business)
:
manage
-
They keep [=(more commonly) run] a bed-and-breakfast.
-
(chiefly Brit) keep a shop
11
[+ object]
somewhat old-fashioned
a
:
to have (something) available for use
-
He keeps a car even though he lives in the city.
b
:
to have a continuing sexual relationship with (someone who is not your husband or wife)
-
a married man who keeps a mistress
-
She never married but she kept a lover for years.
-
a kept man/woman [=a man/woman who is kept as a lover by someone]
How are you keeping?
British
— used to ask if someone feels good, bad, happy, well, etc.
-
“How are you keeping [=how are you doing], Jill?” “Oh, pretty well, thanks.”
keep after
[phrasal verb]
1
keep after (someone)
informal
:
to tell (someone) again and again to do something
-
My kids kept after me to quit smoking, so I finally did.
-
I wasn't going to audition, but my friends kept after me.
2
keep (someone) after
US
:
to require (a student) to stay at school after classes have ended
-
The teacher kept him after (school) for misbehaving in class.
keep at
[phrasal verb]
1
keep at it
:
to continue doing or trying to do something
-
If you keep at it long enough you'll succeed.
-
The project was difficult, but we kept at it and eventually it was done.
2
keep (someone) at it
:
to force or cause (someone) to continue doing something
-
The coach kept us (hard) at it until late afternoon.
keep back
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to not go near something
-
The police asked the spectators to keep back. [=stay back]
-
The guide told us to keep back from the edge of the cliff.
2
keep (someone) back
or
keep back (someone)
a
:
to not allow (someone) to go near something
-
The police kept the spectators back.
b
US
:
to not allow (a student) to advance to the next grade level
— usually used as (be) kept back
-
Students who fail the exam may be kept back a year.
c
British
:
to require (a student) to stay at school after classes have ended
-
She was kept back [=(US) kept after, kept after school] for talking in class.
3
keep (something) back
or
keep back (something)
:
to not allow (something) to appear or be known
-
He struggled to keep back his tears. [=he tried hard not to cry]
-
The government kept back [=withheld] some crucial information from the media.
keep company
[phrasal verb]
1
keep company with (someone)
:
to spend time with (someone)
— usually used figuratively
-
In her garden, roses keep company with lilies.
2
keep (someone) company
:
to spend time with (someone who would be alone if you were not there)
-
I'll keep you company while you wait for the train.
keep down
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to stay close to the ground or floor
-
The soldiers were ordered to keep down. [=stay down]
2
keep (someone) down
:
to prevent (someone) from succeeding, winning, etc.
-
You can't keep a good man down. [=you can't prevent a good or talented person from succeeding]
3
keep (something) down
or
keep down (something)
a
:
to prevent (something) from increasing or rising
-
The company is trying to keep down costs/expenses/prices.
-
She watered the path to keep the dust down.
b
:
to prevent (something) from coming up from your stomach and into your mouth again
-
He was so ill that he could only keep down a small amount of food.
4
keep it down
— used to ask someone to be quiet
-
Please keep it down in there. I'm trying to study.
keep from
[phrasal verb]
1
keep from (doing something)
or
keep (someone or something) from (doing something)
:
to not do or experience (something)
:
to prevent or stop (someone or something) from doing or experiencing (something)
-
She found it hard to keep from laughing. [=she found it hard not to laugh]
-
She's been trying to keep herself from eating too much candy.
-
An umbrella will keep you from getting wet.
-
It's difficult to keep from feeling worried about this situation.
-
He was anxious to keep his son from getting into trouble.
-
Her happy nature kept her from worrying.
-
I don't want to keep you from (doing) your work. = I don't want to keep you from working.
-
She tied the knot tightly to keep it from loosening.
-
The company has taken steps to keep the building from being broken into again.
-
It was hard to keep from [=avoid] confusing the twins.
2
keep (something) from (someone)
:
to not tell (something) to (someone)
-
What information are you keeping from me? [=what information are you not telling me?]
-
They think the government is keeping [=withholding] the truth from us.
keep going
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to continue moving forward
-
He walked right past me and just kept going.
2
:
to continue doing something
-
I was ready to give up on the search, but they convinced me to keep going. [=to continue searching]
3
keep (someone) going
:
to make (someone) able to continue doing something at a difficult time
-
I don't know what keeps her going after all these years.
-
Their grandson is the only thing keeping them going.
4
keep (something) going
:
to cause (something) to continue to exist or function
-
They tried everything they could think of to keep the business going.
-
He kept the conversation going.
keep house
keep in
[phrasal verb]
1
keep (something) in
:
to not show or express (something, such as an emotion)
-
You shouldn't keep your anger in all the time.
2
keep (someone) in (something)
:
to continue to provide (someone) with (something needed or wanted)
-
It's very expensive keeping my children in clothes that fit.
3
keep in with (someone)
chiefly British
:
to remain friendly with (someone)
-
She's always kept in with the people with power.
keep off
[phrasal verb]
1
keep off (something)
or
keep (someone or something) off (something)
:
to stop or prevent (someone or something) from being on (something)
-
Keep [=stay] off the grass. [=do not walk on the grass]
-
Please keep the dog off the sofa.
2
keep (weight) off
:
to continue to weigh a lower amount than you formerly weighed
:
to not regain weight that you have lost
-
She has managed to keep (most of) the weight off for two years.
-
Losing weight is not as hard as keeping it off.
3
a
keep off (something)
:
to not talk about (something)
-
I think we'd better keep off [=avoid] the subject of the war.
b
keep (someone) off (something)
:
to prevent (someone) from talking about (something)
-
We tried to keep them off (the subject of) the war.
keep on
[phrasal verb]
1
informal
:
to continue happening, doing something, working, etc.
-
The rain kept on [=kept up] throughout the day.
-
He talked and talked. At one point I thought he would keep on all night.
2
keep (someone) on
:
to continue to have (someone) as an employee
-
The chef was kept on even after the restaurant was sold.
3
keep on at (someone)
chiefly British, informal
:
to say the same thing to (someone) again and again in a way that is annoying
-
My parents kept on at me to go back to college.
keep out
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to not enter a place
-
The sign on the door said “Keep out!”
2
keep out of (something)
a
:
to not enter (a place)
-
We were told to keep out of his office.
-
Please keep [=stay] out of the way.
b
:
to not become involved in (something)
-
This argument doesn't involve you, so you should just keep [=stay] out of it.
3
keep out (someone or something)
or
keep (someone or something) out (of a place)
:
to stop or prevent (someone or something) from entering (a place)
-
The curtains help keep out the drafts.
-
Keep the cat out of the bedroom.
keep pace with
keep score
keep tabs on
keep the faith
keep time
keep to
[phrasal verb]
1
keep to (something)
a
:
to stay in or on (something)
:
to not leave (something)
-
He kept to the house most of the time.
-
She keeps to the main roads when she travels.
b
:
to not go beyond (something)
-
He tried to keep [=stick] to his budget.
c
:
to act or behave in the way required by (something)
-
keep to [=abide by, obey] the rules of the game
d
:
to not move away from or change (something)
-
I wish you'd just keep to [=stick to] the point.
-
They kept to their story.
2
keep to yourself
a
or chiefly British
keep yourself to yourself
:
to stay apart from other people
:
to avoid other people
-
She was a shy girl who kept pretty much to herself.
b
keep (something) to yourself
:
to keep (something) secret
-
He knew what the facts were but kept them to himself. [=he did not tell anyone what the facts were]
-
She likes to keep things to herself.
keep track
keep up
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to go or make progress at the same rate as others
:
to stay even with others in a race, competition, etc.
— often + with
-
The leader began to run faster, and the other runners found it hard to keep up.
-
The other runners struggled to keep up with the leader.
-
He found it difficult to keep up with the rest of the class.
2
:
to continue to know the newest information about something
-
There is so much happening in the world now that I find it hard to keep up. [=stay informed]
-
I find it hard to keep up on/with the news.
3
:
to continue happening
-
The rain kept up all night.
-
The gunfire kept up for a long time.
4
keep up with (someone)
informal
:
to continue to talk to or write to (someone)
-
She still keeps up with [=keeps in touch with] her old friends from college.
5
keep (someone) up
:
to prevent (someone) from sleeping
-
I hope our party didn't keep you up all night!
6
keep (something) up
or
keep up (something)
a
:
to continue doing (something)
-
Keep up the good work.
-
Keep that up and you'll get into trouble!
b
:
to prevent (something) from getting worse, weaker, etc.
-
We need to keep standards up.
-
Keep your spirits up!
-
The house had been kept up [=maintained] nicely.
-
You need to exercise more to keep your strength up.
c
◊ If you keep up your end of something (such as a bargain or agreement) you do what you have promised or agreed to do.
-
I'm never sure if she will keep up her end of the deal.
keep up appearances
keep up with the Joneses
keep your chin up
keep your distance
keep your head
2
keep
/ˈkiːp/
noun
plural
keeps
2
keep
/ˈkiːp/
noun
plural
keeps
Britannica Dictionary definition of KEEP
[count]
:
the strongest part of a castle built in the Middle Ages
for keeps
informal
1
:
forever or permanently
-
He moved back to the city for keeps. [=for good]
2
:
with the understanding that you may keep what you win
-
playing marbles for keeps
your keep
:
the amount of money you need to pay for food, clothing, a place to live, etc.
— used in the phrase earn your keep
-
She's been living off her parents long enough. It's time for her to get a job and start earning her keep.
