keep
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++keep1 /kiːp/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle kept /kept/) 1 not change 不改变 [linking verb, transitive]CONTINUE/NOT STOP to stay in a particular state, condition, or position, or to make someone or something do this (使)保持，(使)处于keep (somebody/something) warm/safe/dry etc We huddled around the fire to keep warm. 我们挤在火堆边取暖。keep calm/awake/sane etc I was struggling to keep awake. 我努力不让自己睡着。keep something clean/tidy Keep your room tidy. 保持房间整洁。keep somebody busy/amused/occupied some toys to keep the kids amused 一些供孩子消遣的玩具 You won’t be able to keep it secret forever. 你不可能永远保密下去。 Peter cycles to work to keep fit. 为了保持健康，彼得骑自行车上班。 Don’t keep us in suspense any longer! 别再让我们心里悬着了！keep (somebody/something) away/back/off/out etc The police put up barriers to keep the crowds back. 警方设置了障碍物来挡住人群。 If I were you, I’d keep away from that area at night. 要是我的话，晚上就不会去那个地区。 a sign saying ‘Danger: Keep Out’ 写着“危险，请勿靠近”字样的告示牌 The little boy kept close to his mother. 那个小男孩总黏着他妈妈。keep (somebody) out of something Keep him out of trouble. 别让他闯祸。 You keep out of this, Mother (=do not get involved). It’s no concern of yours. 妈妈，这事你别掺和。不关你的事。 How can I cut your hair if you won’t keep still! 你老是动来动去的，叫我怎么给你剪头发！keep left/right (=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move) 靠左侧/右侧〔行走〕keep somebody/something doing something Jane kept the engine running. 简让引擎保持运转。n GRAMMAR: Linking verbsKeep is used as a linking verb in this meaning. It links the subject of the sentence with an adjective: I try to keep busy.The fruit will keep fresh for several weeks.2 continue doing STH 继续做某事 [intransitive] (also keep on)KEEP DOING something to continue doing something or to do the same thing many times 继续；重复keep (on) doing something I keep thinking about Joe, all alone in that place. 我老是想到乔，他独自一人在那种地方。 I keep telling you, but you won’t listen! 我一再跟你说，但你就是不肯听！ She pretended not to hear, and kept on walking. 她假装没听见，继续往前走。5 ► Do not say keep up doing something. Say keep doing something or keep on doing something.不要说 keep up doing something. 而要说 keep doing something 或 keep on doing something.n GrammarKeep is followed by an -ing form, not an infinitive. You say: He kept talking to me. ✗Don’t say: He kept to talk to me.3 not give back 不归还 [transitive]KEEP/CONTINUE TO HAVE to have something and not give it back to the person who had it before 保留，留下，留着4 not lose 不丢失 [transitive]KEEP/CONTINUE TO HAVE to continue to have something and not lose it or get rid of it 保留，留着5 store STH 存放某物 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]KEEP/STORE to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily 存放，储存6 make SB stay in a place 让某人留在某处 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone stay in a place, especially a prison or hospital 监禁，关押，拘留〔尤在监狱或医院里〕7 delay SB 耽搁某人 [transitive]DELAY to delay someone 耽搁，延误8 do what you promised 遵守诺言 [transitive]PROMISE to do what you have promised or agreed to do 遵守，笃守，恪守9 keep a secret TELL A SECRETto not tell anyone about a secret that you know 保守秘密10. keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something) to not say anything in order to avoid telling a secret or causing problems 别把某事说出去/(对某事)保密11. keep a record/account/diary etc REGULARto regularly record written information somewhere 定期记录/记账/写日记等12 keep going 13 food 食物 [intransitive]LAST FOR A PERIOD OF TIMESAME if food keeps, it stays fresh enough to be eaten 保鲜，保持不坏14 animals 动物 [transitive]OWN to own and look after animals 饲养15 stop other people from using STH 不让别人使用某物 [transitive] to stop other people from using something, so that it is available for someone 保留，留下 SYN save16 keep somebody waiting to make someone wait before you meet them or see them 让某人等候17. keep guard/watch PROTECTCAREFULto guard a place or watch around you all the time 守护/监视18. shop 商店 [transitive] British English old-fashionedOWN to own a small business and work in it 开设，经营〔小商店〕19 provide SB with things 为某人提供东西 [transitive]LOOK AFTER somebody to provide someone with money, food etc 供养，抚养，养活20 protect 保护 [transitive] formalPROTECT to guard or protect someone 护卫，保护21. keep goal/wicket to be the player in a team whose job is to protect the goal or wicket 守门/防守三柱门 → goalkeeper, wicket keeper SPOKEN PHRASESn THESAURUS – Meaning 5: to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easilykeep to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easilyWhere do you keep the scissors?The keys are kept in my office.store to put things away and keep them until you need themVillagers have begun storing wood for the winter.save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the futureHe had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion.We can save the rest of the pie for later.file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular placeAll the contracts are filed alphabetically.collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interestingKate collects old postcards.hold to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to useMedical records are now usually held on computers.reserve formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cookingReserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.hoard to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other peoplePeople have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack.Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding. PHRASAL VERBS→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
keep• New shells for old Q I would like to keep a Hermit Club.• I was always getting kept after school for something when I was a kid.• I keep all my tickets and boarding passes as souvenirs.• My mother kept all the letters my father ever wrote her.• Paul managed to keep awake by drinking lots of strong black coffee.• People don't keep Christmas the way they used to.• Mac should be here by now. What's keeping him?• Charlie Northrup drove his car to the Biondo farm at dusk to keep his appointment with Jack.• In spite of the difficulties, Roby's kept his sense of humor.• I don't know how he managed to keep his sense of humour with all he's been through.• My grandfather kept his teeth in a glass next to his bed.• The countryside has a dignity in Piersanti's novel which keeps it from becoming a mere object of nostalgia.• Still, the only thing it ever kept me from doing in sports was being a football referee.• I'd hate to have a job that kept me in the office all the time.• My job keeps me really busy.• I've decided to keep my car even though it's getting old.• The relationship was not kept secret from her supervisors.• Keep still. I need to put a bandage on your finger.• It's hard to keep the house clean with three kids.• Mom and Dad said we could keep the puppy.• Do you think this bacon will keep till tomorrow?• Keegan is desperate to stay after savouring his first taste in management by keeping United in the Second Division.• Eat celery as soon as possible -- it does not keep well for long periods.• Don't let me keep you if you have other things to do.• May the Lord bless you and keep you.• Don't let me keep you.• In both of these cases you have kept your centre-line turned to face the opponent and so left your options open.keep somebody/something doing something• Keep the water running until it gets hot.• You kept me waiting for more than an hour!keep (on) doing something• Dad, Bobby keeps hitting me!• Don just kept on talking like nothing happened.• How can I explain if you keep on interrupting me?• I keep forgetting to mail this letter.• I keep making the same mistake over and over.keep ... appointments• Access to care is controlled by the client, who can choose to keep or not keep appointments.• Efforts were made to contact patients who did not keep appointments.• It is important for hospital-based therapists to realize that many self-poisoning patients fail to keep outpatient appointments.• She pretended to keep appointments and went to the wine shop instead.• But if you keep your on-line appointments diary up to date, a calendar on the network can compare everyone's schedules.• He didn't keep appointments, for one thing.• The idea of keeping appointments was an alien concept.keep somebody in something• Zach's growing so fast we can hardly keep him in jeans.keep ... from harm• I realise you were desperate to protect him and keep him from harm.• She gave him her veil, which would keep him from harm as long as he was in the sea.keep2 noun 1 somebody’s keep EARNthe cost of providing food and a home for someone 某人的生活费用2 for keeps informalALWAYS/EVERY TIME forever 永远，永久3. [countable]PM a large strong tower, usually in the centre of a castle 〔城堡的〕主楼Examples from the Corpus
keep• How else could he have got them out of the keep?From Longman Business Dictionarykeepkeep /kiːp/ verb (past tense and past participle kept) /kept/1[transitive] to store something that will be usefulThe Credit Reference Agency keeps files on individuals’ debt records.You shouldkeep a supply of forms.2keep a record/log/account etc to regularly record written information somewhere → keep to something → keep somebody → on → keep up→ See Verb tableOrigin keep1 Old English cepankeep1 verb →10-21
→n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →n THESAURUS1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1
→PHRASAL VERBS1keep2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
→n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →n THESAURUS1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1
→PHRASAL VERBS1keep2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
state, Business or position, condition, stay particular in a Corpus to
keep
keep1 S1 W1 /kiːp/ 
verb (past tense and past participle kept /kept/)
keep (somebody/something) warm/safe/dry etc
We huddled around the fire to keep warm.
keep calm/awake/sane etc
I was struggling to keep awake.
keep something clean/tidy
Keep your room tidy.
keep somebody busy/amused/occupied
some toys to keep the kids amused
You won’t be able to keep it secret for ever.
Peter cycles to work to keep fit.
Don’t keep us in suspense any longer!
keep (somebody/something) away/back/off/out etc
The police put up barriers to keep the crowds back.
If I were you, I’d keep away from that area at night.
a sign saying ‘Danger: Keep Out’
The little boy kept close to his mother.
keep (somebody) out of something
Keep him out of trouble.
You keep out of this, Mother (=do not get involved). It’s no concern of yours.
How can I cut your hair if you won’t keep still!
keep left/right (=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
keep somebody/something doing something
Jane kept the engine running.
2. CONTINUE DOING SOMETHING [intransitive] (also keep on) to continue doing something or to do the same thing many times
keep (on) doing something
I keep thinking about Joe, all alone in that place.
I keep telling you, but you won’t listen!
She pretended not to hear, and kept on walking.
► Do not say ‘keep up doing something'. Say keep doing something or keep on doing something.
3. NOT GIVE BACK [transitive] to have something and not give it back to the person who had it before:
You can keep it. I don’t need it anymore.
4. NOT LOSE [transitive] to continue to have something and not lose it or get rid of it:
We decided to keep our old car instead of selling it.
I kept his letters for years.
In spite of everything, Robyn’s managed to keep her sense of humor.
5. STORE SOMETHING [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily:
Where do you keep your teabags?
George kept a bottle of whiskey under his bed.
6. MAKE SOMEBODY STAY IN A PLACE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone stay in a place, especially a prison or hospital:
He was kept in prison for a week without charge.
7. DELAY SOMEBODY [transitive] to delay someone:
He should be here by now. What’s keeping him?
8. DO WHAT YOU PROMISED [transitive] to do what you have promised or agreed to do
keep your word/promise
How do I know you’ll keep your word?
patients who fail to keep their appointments
9. keep a secret to not tell anyone about a secret that you know:
Can I trust you to keep a secret?
10. keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something) to not say anything in order to avoid telling a secret or causing problems
11. keep a record/account/diary etc to regularly record written information somewhere
12. keep going
a. keep (somebody) going to have or to give someone enough hope and emotional strength to continue living and doing things in a bad situation:
That woman’s been through such a lot – I don’t know how she keeps going.
Her letters were the only thing that kept me going while I was in prison.
b. keep (something) going if you keep a business, institution, regular event etc going, you keep it open or make it continue to happen:
The library costs £5 million a year to run, and the council can’t afford to keep it going.
c. keep going to continue doing something difficult:
Persevere and keep going until you reach your ideal weight.
d. keep somebody going if something keeps you going, it is enough to satisfy your need while you are waiting to get something bigger or better:
I’ll have a biscuit to keep me going until dinner time.
13. FOOD [intransitive] if food keeps, it stays fresh enough to be eaten:
Eat the salmon because it won’t keep till tomorrow.
14. ANIMALS [transitive] to own and look after animals:
We keep chickens and a couple of pigs.
15. STOP OTHER PEOPLE FROM USING SOMETHING [transitive] to stop other people from using something, so that it is available for someone
SYN save:
Will you keep a seat for me?
16. keep somebody waiting to make someone wait before you meet them or see them:
Sorry to keep you waiting – I got stuck in a meeting.
17. keep guard/watch to guard a place or watch around you all the time
18. SHOP [transitive] British English old-fashioned to own a small business and work in it
19. PROVIDE SOMEBODY WITH THINGS [transitive] to provide someone with money, food etc:
He did not earn enough to keep a wife and children.
keep somebody in something
There’s enough money there to keep you in champagne for a year!
20. PROTECT [transitive] formal to guard or protect someone:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
His only thought was to keep the child from harm.
21. keep goal/wicket to be the player in a team whose job is to protect the goal or wicket ⇨ goalkeeper, wicket keeper
SPOKEN PHRASES
22. keep quiet used to tell someone not to say anything or make any noise:
Keep quiet! I’m trying to watch the game.
23. how are you keeping? used to ask if someone is well:
‘Hi, Mark! How are you keeping?’ ‘Oh, not so bad.’
24. keep your hair/shirt on! used to tell someone to be more calm, patient etc
25. somebody can keep something used to say that you do not want or are not interested in something:
She can keep her wild parties and posh friends – I like the quiet life.
26. it’ll keep used to say that you can tell someone something or do something later:
‘I don’t have time to listen now.’ ‘Don’t worry, it’ll keep.’
▪ keep to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily: Where do you keep the scissors? | The keys are kept in my office.
▪store to put things away and keep them until you need them: Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
▪save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future: He had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion. | We can save the rest of the pie for later.
▪file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
▪collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: Kate collects old postcards.
▪hold to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to use: Medical records are now usually held on computers.
▪reserve formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cooking: Reserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.
▪hoard to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other people: People have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack. | Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding.
keep at something phrasal verb
1. keep at it spoken to continue to do something, although it is difficult or hard work:
I know it’s hard, but keep at it! Don’t give up!
2. keep somebody at something to force someone to continue to work hard and not let them stop
keep back phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ back to deliberately not tell someone all that you know about something:
I got the feeling he was keeping something back.
2. keep something ↔ back to not show your feelings, even though you want to very much:
She was struggling to keep back the tears.
3. keep somebody ↔ back to prevent someone from being as successful as they could be
SYN hold back:
Fear and stereotypes have kept women back for centuries.
4. keep something ↔ back especially British English to not give or pay something that you were going to give:
They kept back some of his wages to pay for the damage.
keep somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to prevent the size, cost, or quantity of something from increasing or being too great:
We need to keep costs down.
2. to succeed in keeping food in your stomach, instead of bringing it up again out of your mouth, when you are ill:
I could hardly keep anything down for about three days.
3. used to ask someone to make less noise:
Keep your voice down – she’ll hear you!
Can you keep it down – I’m trying to work.
4. to prevent a group of people from becoming as successful and powerful as the other people in a society:
Plantation owners kept slaves down by refusing them an education.
keep from phrasal verb
1. keep (somebody/something) from something to prevent someone from doing something or prevent something from happening
keep somebody from (doing) something
His ex-wife had kept him from seeing his children.
I hope I haven’t kept you from your work.
keep something from doing something
Put the pizza in the bottom of the oven to keep the cheese from burning.
keep (yourself) from doing something
The play was so boring I could hardly keep myself from falling asleep.
2. keep something from somebody to prevent someone from knowing something, by deliberately not telling them about it
SYN withhold:
The government had wanted to keep this information from the public.
keep somebody in phrasal verb
1. to make someone stay in hospital because they are too ill to go home:
They kept her in overnight for observation.
2. British English to force someone to stay inside, especially as a punishment in school
keep in with somebody phrasal verb British English
to try to stay friendly with someone, especially because this helps you:
It’s a good idea to keep in with the boss.
keep off phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ off to prevent something from touching or harming something:
She held an old piece of cloth over them both to keep the rain off.
keep something off something
How are we going to keep the flies off this food?
2. keep your hands off somebody/something used to tell someone not to touch someone or something:
Keep your hands off me!
3. keep (somebody) off something to not eat, drink, or take something that is bad for you, or to stop someone else from eating, drinking, or taking it:
Keep off fatty foods.
a programme aimed at keeping teenagers off drugs
4. keep off something especially British English to avoid talking about a particular subject, especially so that you do not upset someone
SYN avoid, stay off
5. keep something ↔ off if you keep weight off, you do not get heavier again after you have lost weight
6. British English if rain keeps off, it does not fall
keep on phrasal verb
1. to continue doing something, or to do something many times
keep on doing something
You just have to keep on trying.
2. keep somebody ↔ on to continue to employ someone, especially for longer than you had planned:
If you’re good, they might keep you on after Christmas.
3. British English informal to talk continuously about something or repeat something many times, in a way that is annoying
SYN go on
keep on about
There’s no need to keep on and on about it!
keep on at
If I didn’t keep on at the children, they’d never do their homework.
keep to something phrasal verb
1. to stay on a particular road, course, piece of ground etc:
It’s best to keep to the paths.
2. to do what has been decided in an agreement or plan, or what is demanded by law:
Keep to the speed limits.
3. keep to the point/subject etc to talk or write only about the subject you are supposed to be talking about
4. keep something to something to prevent an amount, degree, or level from becoming higher than it should:
Costs must be kept to a minimum.
5. keep something to yourself to not tell anyone about something:
I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.
6. keep to yourself (also keep yourself to yourself British English) to live a very quiet private life and not do many things that involve other people
keep up phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ up to continue doing something:
I don’t think I can keep this up any longer.
keep up the good work! (=continue to work hard and well)
2. if a situation keeps up, it continues without stopping or changing
SYN continue:
How long can the economic boom keep up?
3. to go as quickly as someone else
keep up with
I had to walk fast to keep up with him.
4. to manage to do as much or as well as other people
OPP fall behind
keep up with
Jack’s having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class.
keep up with the Joneses (=try to have the same new impressive possessions that other people have)
5. to continue to read and learn about a particular subject, so that you always know about the most recent facts, products etc
keep up with
Employees need to keep up with the latest technical developments.
6. keep something ↔ up to make something continue at its present level or amount, instead of letting it decrease:
NATO kept up the pressure on the Serbs to get out of Kosovo.
7. if one process keeps up with another, it increases at the same speed and by the same amount
keep up with
Food production is not keeping up with population growth.
8. keep something ↔ up to continue to practise a skill so that you do not lose it:
I used to speak French, but I haven’t kept it up.
9. keep somebody up informal to prevent someone from going to bed:
I hope I’m not keeping you up.
10. keep your spirits/strength/morale etc up to stay happy, strong, confident etc by making an effort:
We sang as we marched, to keep our spirits up.
11. keep up appearances to pretend that everything in your life is normal and happy even though you are in trouble, especially financial trouble
keep up with somebody phrasal verb
to write to, telephone, or meet a friend regularly, so that you do not forget each other
keep2 noun1. sb’s keep the cost of providing food and a home for someone
earn your keep (=do things in return for the things that are provided for you)
It’s time you got a job and started earning your keep.
2. for keeps informal forever:
Marriage ought to be for keeps.
3. [countable] a large strong tower, usually in the centre of a castle
| I |
verb (past tense and past participle kept /kept/) Language: Old English
Origin: cepan
1. NOT CHANGE [linking verb, transitive] to stay in a particular state, condition, or position, or to make someone or something do thisOrigin: cepan
keep (somebody/something) warm/safe/dry etc
keep calm/awake/sane etc
keep something clean/tidy
keep somebody busy/amused/occupied
keep (somebody/something) away/back/off/out etc
keep (somebody) out of something
keep left/right (=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
keep somebody/something doing something
2. CONTINUE DOING SOMETHING [intransitive] (also keep on) to continue doing something or to do the same thing many times
keep (on) doing something
► Do not say ‘keep up doing something'. Say keep doing something or keep on doing something.
3. NOT GIVE BACK [transitive] to have something and not give it back to the person who had it before:
4. NOT LOSE [transitive] to continue to have something and not lose it or get rid of it:
5. STORE SOMETHING [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily:
6. MAKE SOMEBODY STAY IN A PLACE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone stay in a place, especially a prison or hospital:
7. DELAY SOMEBODY [transitive] to delay someone:
8. DO WHAT YOU PROMISED [transitive] to do what you have promised or agreed to do
keep your word/promise
9. keep a secret to not tell anyone about a secret that you know:
10. keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something) to not say anything in order to avoid telling a secret or causing problems
11. keep a record/account/diary etc to regularly record written information somewhere
12. keep going
a. keep (somebody) going to have or to give someone enough hope and emotional strength to continue living and doing things in a bad situation:
b. keep (something) going if you keep a business, institution, regular event etc going, you keep it open or make it continue to happen:
c. keep going to continue doing something difficult:
d. keep somebody going if something keeps you going, it is enough to satisfy your need while you are waiting to get something bigger or better:
13. FOOD [intransitive] if food keeps, it stays fresh enough to be eaten:
14. ANIMALS [transitive] to own and look after animals:
15. STOP OTHER PEOPLE FROM USING SOMETHING [transitive] to stop other people from using something, so that it is available for someone
SYN save:
16. keep somebody waiting to make someone wait before you meet them or see them:
17. keep guard/watch to guard a place or watch around you all the time
18. SHOP [transitive] British English old-fashioned to own a small business and work in it
19. PROVIDE SOMEBODY WITH THINGS [transitive] to provide someone with money, food etc:
keep somebody in something
20. PROTECT [transitive] formal to guard or protect someone:
21. keep goal/wicket to be the player in a team whose job is to protect the goal or wicket ⇨ goalkeeper, wicket keeper
SPOKEN PHRASES
22. keep quiet used to tell someone not to say anything or make any noise:
23. how are you keeping? used to ask if someone is well:
24. keep your hair/shirt on! used to tell someone to be more calm, patient etc
25. somebody can keep something used to say that you do not want or are not interested in something:
26. it’ll keep used to say that you can tell someone something or do something later:
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keep at something phrasal verb
1. keep at it spoken to continue to do something, although it is difficult or hard work:
2. keep somebody at something to force someone to continue to work hard and not let them stop
keep back phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ back to deliberately not tell someone all that you know about something:
2. keep something ↔ back to not show your feelings, even though you want to very much:
3. keep somebody ↔ back to prevent someone from being as successful as they could be
SYN hold back:
4. keep something ↔ back especially British English to not give or pay something that you were going to give:
keep somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to prevent the size, cost, or quantity of something from increasing or being too great:
2. to succeed in keeping food in your stomach, instead of bringing it up again out of your mouth, when you are ill:
3. used to ask someone to make less noise:
4. to prevent a group of people from becoming as successful and powerful as the other people in a society:
keep from phrasal verb
1. keep (somebody/something) from something to prevent someone from doing something or prevent something from happening
keep somebody from (doing) something
keep something from doing something
keep (yourself) from doing something
2. keep something from somebody to prevent someone from knowing something, by deliberately not telling them about it
SYN withhold:
keep somebody in phrasal verb
1. to make someone stay in hospital because they are too ill to go home:
2. British English to force someone to stay inside, especially as a punishment in school
keep in with somebody phrasal verb British English
to try to stay friendly with someone, especially because this helps you:
keep off phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ off to prevent something from touching or harming something:
keep something off something
2. keep your hands off somebody/something used to tell someone not to touch someone or something:
3. keep (somebody) off something to not eat, drink, or take something that is bad for you, or to stop someone else from eating, drinking, or taking it:
4. keep off something especially British English to avoid talking about a particular subject, especially so that you do not upset someone
SYN avoid, stay off
5. keep something ↔ off if you keep weight off, you do not get heavier again after you have lost weight
6. British English if rain keeps off, it does not fall
keep on phrasal verb
1. to continue doing something, or to do something many times
keep on doing something
2. keep somebody ↔ on to continue to employ someone, especially for longer than you had planned:
3. British English informal to talk continuously about something or repeat something many times, in a way that is annoying
SYN go on
keep on about
keep on at
keep to something phrasal verb
1. to stay on a particular road, course, piece of ground etc:
2. to do what has been decided in an agreement or plan, or what is demanded by law:
3. keep to the point/subject etc to talk or write only about the subject you are supposed to be talking about
4. keep something to something to prevent an amount, degree, or level from becoming higher than it should:
5. keep something to yourself to not tell anyone about something:
6. keep to yourself (also keep yourself to yourself British English) to live a very quiet private life and not do many things that involve other people
keep up phrasal verb
1. keep something ↔ up to continue doing something:
keep up the good work! (=continue to work hard and well)
2. if a situation keeps up, it continues without stopping or changing
SYN continue:
3. to go as quickly as someone else
keep up with
4. to manage to do as much or as well as other people
OPP fall behind
keep up with
keep up with the Joneses (=try to have the same new impressive possessions that other people have)
5. to continue to read and learn about a particular subject, so that you always know about the most recent facts, products etc
keep up with
6. keep something ↔ up to make something continue at its present level or amount, instead of letting it decrease:
7. if one process keeps up with another, it increases at the same speed and by the same amount
keep up with
8. keep something ↔ up to continue to practise a skill so that you do not lose it:
9. keep somebody up informal to prevent someone from going to bed:
10. keep your spirits/strength/morale etc up to stay happy, strong, confident etc by making an effort:
11. keep up appearances to pretend that everything in your life is normal and happy even though you are in trouble, especially financial trouble
keep up with somebody phrasal verb
to write to, telephone, or meet a friend regularly, so that you do not forget each other
| II |
noun1. sb’s keep the cost of providing food and a home for someoneearn your keep (=do things in return for the things that are provided for you)
2. for keeps informal forever:
3. [countable] a large strong tower, usually in the centre of a castle
especially
especially
especially