keep1 verbkeep2 noun
keepkeep1 /kiːp/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle kept /kept/) 
WORD ORIGINkeep1
Origin:
Old English cepanVERB TABLE
keep
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | keep |
| he, she, it | keeps | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | kept |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have kept |
| he, she, it | has kept | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had kept |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will keep |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have kept |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am keeping |
| he, she, it | is keeping | |
| you, we, they | are keeping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was keeping |
| you, we, they | were keeping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been keeping |
| he, she, it | has been keeping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been keeping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be keeping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been keeping |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Keep still. I need to put a bandage on your finger.
- Do you think this bacon will keep till tomorrow?
- Don't let me keep you if you have other things to do.
- Don't let me keep you.
- Eat celery as soon as possible -- it does not keep well for long periods.
- I'd hate to have a job that kept me in the office all the time.
- I've decided to keep my car even though it's getting old.
- I keep all my tickets and boarding passes as souvenirs.
- I don't know how he managed to keep his sense of humour with all he's been through.
- I was always getting kept after school for something when I was a kid.
- In spite of the difficulties, Roby's kept his sense of humor.
- It's hard to keep the house clean with three kids.
- Mac should be here by now. What's keeping him?
- May the Lord bless you and keep you.
- Mom and Dad said we could keep the puppy.
- My grandfather kept his teeth in a glass next to his bed.
- My job keeps me really busy.
- 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.
- Charlie Northrup drove his car to the Biondo farm at dusk to keep his appointment with Jack.
- In both of these cases you have kept your centre-line turned to face the opponent and so left your options open.
- Keegan is desperate to stay after savouring his first taste in management by keeping United in the Second Division.
- New shells for old Q I would like to keep a Hermit Club.
- Still, the only thing it ever kept me from doing in sports was being a football referee.
- The countryside has a dignity in Piersanti's novel which keeps it from becoming a mere object of nostalgia.
- The relationship was not kept secret from her supervisors.
THESAURUS
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.
to put things away and keep them until you need them: · Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
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.
to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: · All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: · Kate collects old postcards.
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.
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.
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.
Longman Language Activatorto keep something and not sell it or give or throw it away · My mother kept all the letters my father ever wrote her.· I've decided to keep my car even though it's getting old.· I keep all my tickets and boarding passes as souvenirs.· Why do you want to keep all these old magazines?
to keep something that you could throw away, because you might want to use it in the future: · When mom died we found a box full of old newspaper clippings she had saved.· Don't throw the wrapping paper away - I'm going to save it and use it again.
informal to keep something, especially because you might need it or it might become valuable at a later time: · Hold on to your ticket - you'll need it to get out of the station.· You should hang on to that painting. It might be worth something one day.· There's no point in hanging on to the baby clothes if you're not going to have more kids.
if someone will not part with something, they refuse to sell it or give it to anyone else because they like it so much: · We offered her $200 for the lamp, but she didn't want to part with it.· Over the years he'd become very attached to his old car and wouldn't part with it for the world.
formal to keep something, and not sell it, give it away, or get rid of it: · It is suggested that you retain copies of the documents for at least three years.· The treaty would not allow any country to produce, acquire, or retain chemical weapons.
to keep something so that someone else can use it later to not sell or give something to anyone else, so that someone can have it or use it later: · Let's save some of this pizza for Jill.· I haven't got enough money with me right now. Can you keep the vase for me while I go to the bank?· If you get any foreign stamps, could you save them for me? My nephew collects them.
British informal to keep something for someone until they are able to collect it, pay for it etc: · If I pay you for the chairs now, could you put them by and I'll collect them tomorrow?
if a shop or a company holds something for someone, they keep it until the person can come to buy or get it: · Your tickets will be held at the box office until one hour before the performance.· I got the post office to hold our mail while we were away.
to keep something separate and not use it because someone is going to buy it or use it later: · One of the rooms was set aside for a yoga class.· They didn't have the dress I wanted but said they would put one aside for me when they had a delivery.
to let someone keep their job to continue to employ someone after they have been working in the same job for a period of time, especially because they have proved that they are good at it: keep somebody on: · We cannot guarantee that we will be able to keep you on at the end of your contract.keep on somebody: · It seems a lot of these companies want to get rid of the old ones and keep on the young ones.
formal to continue to employ someone, especially when you are getting rid of other people: · Only four members of the original marketing team will be retained next year.
to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc · She's almost 60, but she has kept her good looks.· These cars are a good investment. They keep their value for many years.· I don't know how he managed to keep his sense of humour with all he's been through.
to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc in spite of difficulties: · She held on to her dreams of stardom throughout her unsuccessful career.· I tried desperately to hang on to my sanity as events became more and more confused.· It's hard to hang on to your dignity when everyone treats you as if you're old and senile.
formal to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc in spite of other changes: · The new design will be more modern, while retaining the graceful shape of the original.· It's important that you retain a sense of proportion when you're feeling depressed.
to keep something in a particular place · Where do you keep the scissors?keep something in/on/under etc something · We always keep the car in the garage.· My grandfather kept his teeth in a glass next to his bed.· Visitors are advised to keep their valuables with them at all times.
to keep something for a long period of time so that it is ready for you to use when you need it: · Store the medicine in a cool place.· The warehouse is being used to store food and clothes for the refugees.· The government plans to store the nuclear waste at a site in Nevada.
to store something, especially a large object or a large quantity of something, until the time when you are able to use it: · All our furniture is being kept in storage until we can find a new apartment.· The meat is kept in cold storage before being sent out to supermarkets.
to store something such as food for a long time, especially after treating it in a special way so that it does not decay: · Early settlers preserved meat by drying and salting it.· Human organs, preserved in jars, lined the shelves of the laboratory.
to collect and keep a large quantity of something secretly, because you think it might be useful at some time in the future - use this when you think the person who does this worries too much about keeping things for the future: · My grandmother hoards everything - jam jars, plastic bags, pieces of string - her house is a mess.· They've been hoarding food and water, convinced that some kind of catastrophe is coming.
to keep information to keep a lot of different pieces of information together in one place, so that you can find them when you need them: · The police keep detailed information about everyone who has committed a crime.· Records of all births and deaths are kept in the county offices.
to keep large quantities of information, especially in a computer: · Huge amounts of information can be stored on a single CD-ROM.· The cards can be stored alphabetically.· Data regarding employees' salaries are stored on the computer at the main office.
to keep information in a computer or written down so that you can use it at a later time: · We have no job openings at the moment but we will keep your details on file.· Employees' records are kept on file for one year after they have left the company.
to keep information in written form and in a special order, so that it is easy to find when you need it: · Barb, could you file these papers for me?· All the students' records are filed alphabetically.file something away: · Once a complaint is received it is usually filed away and forgotten.
to keep information on a particular subject, especially so that you can see how it changes or develops: keep a record/keep records of: · You should keep written records of all business expenses.· The scientists are keeping a record of radioactive levels in the area.keep a record/keep records on: · Schools keep records on all their students.
things of the same type that you store a large quantity of something that you keep, and that you replace regularly because you use it often: · Food supplies in the camp were already running out.supply of: · The hospital keeps a large supply of blood for use in emergencies.· First prize was a year's supply of baby food.
the amount of a particular product that a shop keeps to be sold: · Buy now while stocks last!stock of: · Someone came in half an hour ago and bought up our entire stock of Italian wine.· The new video store has a huge stock of movies to rent.
something such as money, food, or water that you keep because you might need it in the future: · The country has foreign currency reserves of $83 billion.reserve of: · We had to rely on our emergency reserve of food while we were snowed in.keep/hold something in reserve: · They sold half the wood and kept the rest in reserve for winter.
things, especially illegal drugs or weapons, that are kept hidden because they are illegal or secret: · The drug cache that the men were found in possession of was worth roughly $1 million.cache of: · Police have found a cache of automatic weapons in a house in the city centre.
a large number of things of the same type that someone keeps secretly, so that they can use them if they need them - use this when you think the person who keeps these things worries too much about keeping things for the future: hoard of: · I kept my own secret hoard of chocolate cookies in a big tin under the sink.
to make someone stay in a place to make someone stay in a place: · They kept us there for over an hour while they checked our passports.· Don't let me keep you if you have other things to do.· I'd hate to have a job that kept me in the office all the time.keep somebody in (=make a child stay at school as a punishment) British: · The teacher kept us in after school because she said we'd been causing trouble.keep somebody after school (=make a child stay at school as a punishment) American: · I was always getting kept after school for something when I was a kid.keep somebody in (=make someone stay in a hospital) British: · They say they're going to keep her in overnight for observation, then do some tests on her tomorrow.
to keep someone in a place as a prisoner to make someone stay in a place and not let them leave, especially as a prisoner: · You can't keep me here against my will - get out of my way.keep somebody in/at etc something: · The guerrillas were keeping the hostages in a camp somewhere in the jungle.· Prisoners were kept in cells with no beds and no running water.
to keep someone somewhere, especially for a short period of time, before deciding what to do with them: · Police are holding two men for questioning in connection with the robbery.· No one knows where the kidnapped woman is being held.hold somebody in/at etc something: · The prisoners were held at Andersonville until more suitable places were found.
to illegally keep someone in a place where they do not want to be, especially as a way of forcing someone to give you money or do what you want: · Police raided the building where rebels were holding 73 government employees captive.hold sb prisoner/captive/hostage in/at etc something: · Four other US citizens are being held hostage by guerrillas in Colombia.· The woman had been held prisoner in Larkin's basement for 3 months.
informal to put someone in a place, especially a prison, and lock it so that they cannot escape: lock somebody up/away: · Didn't they lock his brother away for murder?lock up/away somebody: · The governor argues that locking up criminals has reduced the crime rate.· Prisoners are locked up in their cells for twenty three hours a day.
to keep someone in a room or small place, so that they cannot go where they want to: confine somebody in something: · The boy had been confined in a dark narrow room from early childhood by his parents.confine somebody to something: · The judge is confining the jury to their hotel until after the verdict.
if the police detain someone who they think has done something illegal, they keep them somewhere, usually in order to ask them questions: · Three men from the ship have been detained for questioning by the Harbour Authorities.· The police are now allowed to detain terrorist suspects for as long as a week.
if the police hold or keep someone in custody they keep them in prison until it is time for them to be judged in a court: · McCullough will be kept in custody until her trial on May 3rd.hold/keep somebody in police custody (=in a police station): · A man has been arrested in connection with the murder and is being held in police custody.
someone who is forced to stay in a place someone who is kept in a place, especially a prison, as punishment for a crime: · The state now has 152,000 prisoners in 32 prisons.prisoner of war (=someone who is kept prisoner by the enemy during a war): · Her father spent three years as a prisoner of war in Korea.political prisoner (=someone who is in prison because of their political beliefs): · There have been reports of the systematic torture of political prisoners.take somebody prisoner (=make someone your prisoner): · All the soldiers were either killed or taken prisoner.
someone who is kept in a place illegally: · All the captives were kept in a darkened room with their hands tied.· The rebels promise to release their captives unharmed if their demands are met.take somebody captive (=make someone your captive): · Armed gunmen broke into the church and took the priest captive.
someone who is illegally kept in a place by someone who threatens to harm or kill them as a way of making someone else pay money or do what they want: · The group has threatened to kill the hostages unless the government frees 15 political prisoners.· An attempt to rescue the American hostages ended in disaster.take somebody hostage (=make someone your hostage): · The medical team were captured and taken hostage.
when you are forced to stay somewhere if someone who the police think is guilty of a crime is in custody , they are kept in prison until it is time for them to be judged in a court: · Parry was in custody for a month before being released.be in police custody (=in a police station): · The activist died under suspicious circumstances while he was in police custody.be remanded in custody (=be sent back to prison from a court until your trial): · Three men and a woman have been remanded in custody on fraud charges.
if someone is under arrest , the police are keeping them guarded because they think they are guilty of a crime: · He's under arrest and may only be seen by his lawyer.be under house arrest (=not be allowed to leave your home): · The opposition leader has been under house arrest for the past few months.
when someone is being forced to stay in a place where they do not want to be - use this when this situation is illegal or wrong: · In his autobiography, Mandela describes his life during captivity.in captivity: · The hostages are now entering their fourth week in captivity.
when someone is being kept as a prisoner, especially as a punishment for a crime: · Johnson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for causing a riot.· The offence is punishable by either a fine or imprisonment.life imprisonment (=for the rest of someone's life): · Garrison faces life imprisonment for his role in the killings.
when someone is being kept somewhere by the police, usually because they think that person has done something illegal and they want to ask them questions: · By the 1920s the average period of detention for new immigrants lasted two weeks.· A dissident, recently released from detention, gave a press conference in the capital today.in detention: · About a dozen people remain in detention without trial.take somebody into detention: · They were taken into detention two weeks ago and still are not allowed visitors.detention center (=a place where someone is kept by the police): · There was another riot at the men's detention center yesterday.juvenile detention (=a place that is like a prison for young people) American: · He was in and out of juvenile detention for drugs charges as a teenager.
when someone is being kept in a room, prison etc: · He was sentenced to 5 months of home confinement for the crime.solitary confinement (=the state of being kept completely alone): · Prisoners are punished by being put in solitary confinement.
to keep away from a person or place to keep away from a person, because you do not want to talk to them, or keep away from a place, because there are problems there: · I'm sure Sarah's been avoiding me recently.· Drivers are advised to avoid Elm Street today due to heavy traffic and long delays.avoid somebody/something like the plague informal (=try very hard to avoid them): · Except when they were filming, the two actors avoided each other like the plague.
to not go near a person or place, because they may be dangerous or may cause problems: stay away/keep away from: · That evening he received a note warning him to stay away from the camp.· Keep away from my children, or I'll call the police.stay/keep well away (=completely avoid): · She walked along the path, keeping well away from the edge of the cliff.
also give somebody/something a wide berth informal to make an effort to avoid a person or place, because there could be serious problems if you do not: · We were told to steer clear of the main roads where we might be recognized.· She advised me to steer clear of Matthew - she said he couldn't be trusted.· Passersby gave the old man on the sidewalk a fairly wide berth.
to travel around a place instead of through the centre of it, especially to avoid a traffic problem: · We had to make a long detour because of the floods.
to continue doing something in a determined way to continue trying to do something in a very patient and determined way, in spite of difficulties: · He didn't know any English, but he persevered and became a good student.persevere with: · When a country is able to persevere with reforms, the result can be a return to economic stability.persevere in: · Stevenson persevered in his efforts to discover what had really happened.persevere in the face of something: · Children today seem less willing to seek out challenges and persevere in the face of adversity.
spoken also stick at it British spoken to continue working or studying in a very determined way in order to achieve something: stick at/to it: · If you stick at it, I'm sure you'll pass your examinations.· It was hard to follow the diet plan at first, but I stuck to it and eventually lost 20 pounds.
to force yourself to continue working, practising etc in order to achieve something, even though it needs a lot of effort: keep at it: · You'll have to keep at it if you want to play the piano as well as your father does.keep at something British: · I wish I'd kept at my language lessons when I was at school.
British to continue doing something or going somewhere in spite of difficulties, because you are determined to finish your work, journey etc without delay: · I was finding the book hard to understand, but I pressed on.· We're nearly there, so let's press on while it's still daylight.press on with: · Despite opposition ,the government is pressing on with its welfare reforms.press on regardless (=ignoring all difficulties): · It started to rain and a strong wind blew, but he pressed on regardless.
someone who is undaunted or does something undaunted does not give up because of difficulties, dangers etc, but continues to do what they intended to do: · Undaunted, he said he would take the test again.undaunted by: · Undaunted by the low pay and lack of respect, she feels teaching is the most rewarding job she can do.remain undaunted: · The policy changes she wants have not happened, but Banyan remains undaunted.
British to continue doing something in a steady determined way even though it is very difficult: · The team were all feeling seasick but they soldiered on valiantly.· Charles was asked to soldier on as Sayle's assistant.
to continue doing something to not stop doing something that you are already doing: · The project's organizers hope the government will continue funding it next year.· Sometimes she just couldn't see the point of continuing.· NASA continues its efforts to communicate with intelligent beings in outer space.continue doing something: · They continued arguing long after everyone else had gone to bed.· Turn the steaks over and continue broiling for 4 to 5 more minutes.continue to do something: · She continued to live in the same house after the death of her husband.· Despite all the warnings, many people continue to smoke.continue with: · My teacher advised me to continue with my studies.
also carry on British to continue doing something that you have started without allowing anything to stop you: · The baby started crying at ten and went on all night.· It was almost too dark to see properly, but he carried on anyway.go on/carry on doing something: · When I tried to interrupt, he ignored me and went on speaking.· If you have been taking malaria tablets while abroad, you should carry on taking them for a month after you return.go on with: · The delegates decided to go on with the meeting instead of breaking off for lunch.· Don't stop! Carry on with your work.
to continue to do something for a long time - use this especially when it happens for so long that it is tiring or annoying: · That man keeps staring at me. I wish he'd stop it.· We were all tired, but we knew that we had to keep moving.· If you keep on trying, you'll get better at it.· Keep going till you come to a crossroads.
to continue doing something when you could have stopped: · We drove on, passing fewer and fewer houses.· Jones had injured his foot, but played on despite the pain.· Paul grabbed her hand and they ran on, hand in hand.
an expression meaning to continue to do something as well or with as much effort as you have been doing until now, used especially to encourage someone: keep it up: · You're doing a good job, boys. Keep it up.keep up something: · The enemy kept up the attack all through the night.· Scott kept up a constant barrage of calls and faxes until he got the answers he wanted.keep up the good work spoken: · "Keep up the good work," Harry said, patting Davy's shoulder.
especially British to continue talking about something, especially in a boring or annoying way: go on about: · I wish you'd stop going on about work all the time.go on and on: · He went on and on until we were all half asleep.
especially British, spoken to continue doing a piece of work and avoid talking or doing anything else: · Get on with your work, please. There's a lot to do.· Get on with it! We don't have all day.· I need to get on with my homework.
formal to continue doing an activity or trying to achieve something over a long period of time: · The US intends to pursue vigorous programs in space science.· A good reporter will pursue a story until he or she knows all the facts.
formal to continue to do something, especially something bad that you have been warned not to do, or something difficult that other people do not want you to do: persist in doing something: · He persisted in smoking even after having a heart attack.· American students of Spanish often persist in pronouncing words such as "presidente" in the same way as similar English words.persist in: · The White House persisted in its efforts to pass the bill, despite the opposition of Congress.
to make something continue to continue something, often something that has been started by someone else: · Who's going to carry on the project when she leaves?· Immigrant families often try to continue cultural traditions.· In the eighteenth century, his research was carried on by Dubois.
to make something continue in the same way or at the same high standard as before: · Air France has maintained a high level of service for many years.· It is best if divorced parents can maintain friendly relations for the sake of the children.
to make something bad continue to exist, especially a situation that is not fair or involves false ideas: · This new book perpetuates all the old myths about the Kennedy assassination.· The proposed law will perpetuate existing economic and class inequalities.
to make something continue, especially when it is difficult and a lot of effort is needed: · She and Laura keep up their friendship through frequent telephone calls and lunch dates.· Environmental groups intend to keep up the pressure until the government changes the law.
to make something good continue because you think it should not be allowed to disappear: · As a family, we want to preserve the traditions of Jewish culture and religion.· All the names in the book have been changed to preserve the victims' anonymity.
to continue to be the same as before to continue to be the same as before: · The library stays open until 8pm on Fridays.· It will stay cold for the next few days.· They stayed friends after their divorce.· The details of her death have stayed a closely guarded secret.
written to continue to be the same as before: · She remained calm and waited till he had finished shouting at her.· Would the audience please remain seated.· The details of his death remain a closely guarded secret.remain the same: · His doctors say this his condition remains the same.
: keep quiet/awake/silent etc to continue to be awake, calm, quiet etc - use this especially to say someone has to make an effort to do this: · Paul managed to keep awake by drinking lots of strong black coffee.· Try to keep calm and let me know if anything changes.· We kept quiet and very still until the footsteps had passed.
to be the same as in the past, especially when you expected there might have been a change: · Inflation continues to be one of the government's main problems.· UN soldiers continue to be killed for nothing.· Peanut growing continues to be the main industry in Senegal.
use this to emphasize that something or someone has not changed and continues to be the same: · At the age of 50, Marlene was still a beautiful woman.· She still has that rusty old car.· I'm still confused. Would you explain it again?
to completely control the people in a country to use force to control large groups of people - use this especially about governments and people in authority: · Since colonial times, black people in South Africa have been oppressed by the white minority.· Marxists have studied the role of the family in oppressing women.
oppressive laws or governments control people so tightly that they have very little freedom left: · The country is in the grip of an extremely oppressive regime.· New, oppressive laws were brought in to restrict the freedom of the press.
to control people by not allowing them to use their natural abilities, intelligence, or energy to improve their situation: be kept down: · The population is kept down by poverty and fear of the secret police.keep somebody down: · In Marlowe's opinion, religion was invented in order to keep people down.
to control people: · It's a cruel and vicious regime that represses all opposition.· For years the inhabitants of these islands have been repressed by the colonizers.
to make someone or something arrive late to make someone or something late - use this especially about a problem or something unexpected: · Mr Evans has been delayed but will be joining us shortly.· Our plane was delayed by fog.· I mustn't delay you any longer.get delayed: · There was an accident on the freeway and we got delayed.
to delay someone or something so that they arrive somewhere late: make sb late for: · The accident made us late for work.· I'll let you go - I don't want to make you late for your appointment.make somebody late doing something: · Catching a later train made Frank late getting to the office.
to make someone or something stop or go more slowly when they are going somewhere: hold somebody up: · I won't hold you up - I can see you're in a hurry.hold up somebody/something: · Get a move on, you two! You're holding up the whole queue!be/get held up: · We got held up in traffic and missed the show.
informal to delay someone when they are trying to go somewhere: · He should be here by now. What's keeping him?
formal to delay someone, especially by keeping them talking or working: · I won't detain you for much longer, Miss Reid. There are just a few more questions that I need to ask you.be unavoidably detained (=by something that you cannot prevent): · Mr Jones should be here, but I'm afraid he's been unavoidably detained.
to decide it is better not to do something formal to not do something that you want to do or usually do, especially because you do not want to offend or upset someone: · Kate wanted to slap Keith round the face but she refrained.refrain from: · Rand refrained from comment on the scandal involving his opponent.refrain from doing something: · Please refrain from smoking in the restaurant.
to decide not to do something, especially something enjoyable, because it is considered to be bad for your health or morally wrong: · Most of the church members drink only moderately or abstain completely.abstain from: · You should abstain from food and caffeinated drinks before the operation.abstain from doing something: · Junior politicians are supposed to abstain from criticizing the government.
to not do something extreme, even though what you have been doing or saying until now makes this very likely to be the next thing you do: · The US was willing to support sanctions, but stopped short of military intervention.stop short of doing something: · Morris has strongly criticized Paulson's writings but stops short of calling him a racist.
to not do something, especially because you are worried about what will happen if you do: · He wanted to tell her everything, but something made him hold back.hold back from doing something: · Republicans have expressed interest in the plan but have held back from making a commitment.
to stop yourself from doing something you want to do, because you do not want to offend someone, spoil a secret etc: · It was all I could do to keep from hitting him.keep yourself from doing something: · Sara was so excited, she could hardly keep herself from giving away the whole plan.
to decide or agree not to do something, especially because it is likely to be unsuccessful or is unnecessary: · Look, we aren't making any progress - let's just forget the whole idea.forget it spoken: · If you're not going to take this project seriously we might as well forget it.
to not do something that you were going to do, or to think very carefully before you do it, because you know it could have a bad result: · Anyone thinking about having unprotected sex should think twice.think twice about: · I hope this latest attack will make people think twice about mindless violence towards ethnic minorities.think twice before doing something: · The heavy penalties are designed to make people think twice before committing a crime.
to not let someone enter to prevent someone from entering a place, for example by locking doors and windows, or building fences: keep out somebody: · He bought a new security system to keep out intruders.keep somebody out: · Family members can go in to visit him, but we need to keep everyone else out.keep somebody out of something: · Try to keep Ed out of the bedroom while I finish wrapping his present.
to shut a door, window etc in order to prevent someone from entering, especially because they would be interrupting you or annoying you: shut out somebody: · He slammed the door, shutting out the dogs.shut somebody out (of something): · John shut everybody out of the kitchen so that he could prepare his grand surprise.
to stop someone from entering a place by locking a door: lock somebody out/lock out somebody: · Her husband threw her out of the trailer without shoes or clothes and locked her out.lock somebody out of something: · I can't believe I locked myself out of the house again.
to refuse to allow someone to enter a country or a public place: refuse somebody entry: · Immigration officials refused her entry because they thought she was planning to stay.refuse entry to somebody: · The management reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone who is improperly dressed.
to refuse to let someone into a place where a public event is happening, especially because it is full: turn somebody away/turn away somebody: · Hundreds of disappointed fans were turned away at the gates.· The club's so popular, we have to turn people away every night.
to officially forbid someone from entering a building or area, especially because they have caused trouble or because it is dangerous for them to go there: · The tavern banned Ted for starting a fight.bar/ban somebody from something: · We've had to bar visitors from the garden because some of the pathways aren't safe.bar/ban somebody for life (=forbidden from entering for the rest of your life): · After the incident at the country club, Chuck was banned for life.
to exercise your body to walk, do sports etc in order to stay healthy and become stronger: · You should exercise every day and get plenty of fresh air.· Even people who start exercising quite late in life notice considerable benefits.· A lot of managers spend long hours in their cars and exercise very little.
also take exercise British to exercise, especially regularly: · You should do at least fifteen minutes' exercise each day.· Doctors are always telling us that we should do more exercise.· Most of the people here never take any exercise at all.
to do exercise, especially as part of your daily work or daily life: · A lot of children these days don't get enough exercise.· Try to increase the amount of exercise you get, perhaps by walking to work.
to exercise regularly, using all the important muscles in your body, especially in a gym or exercise class: · Professional footballers spend at least an hour every day working out in the gym.· I go jogging every morning and work out with weights twice a week.
British to exercise regularly in order to stay healthy and young: · Jim gave up drinking and took up tennis in an attempt to keep fit.· Many older people find that keeping fit can be fun as well as good for their health.
also get fit British to do regular exercise because you are not healthy or strong enough: · It's not too late to get into shape before the summer holidays.· If you want to get fit quickly, jogging is one of the best ways.
also limber up especially British to do gentle physical exercises just before playing a sport, dancing etc, so that you do not injure your muscles: · It's important to warm up properly before you do any sport.· The runners are now limbering up as they get ready for the race.
to prepare for a sporting event, especially by exercising: · We train twice a week at the local gym.· I'm not as fit as I should be. I don't train enough.
to move as fast as someone else to move forward fast enough to reach someone who was in front of you going in the same direction: · We need to start cycling faster or we'll never catch up.catch up with: · Go on ahead. I'll catch up with you later.· The police car caught up with the stolen van after a long chase.
to be getting closer and closer to someone that you are chasing or trying to pass, because you are moving faster than they are: · Run faster -- they're gaining on us!· Seeing the van was gaining on him, he turned suddenly onto a dirt road.
to succeed in moving as fast as someone else, when they are moving very quickly: · Maggie had a stone in her shoe and was finding it hard to keep up.keep up with: · Slow down! I can't keep up with you.· She had difficulty keeping up with J.D.'s long, quick strides.
to not interfere spoken say this when you want someone to stop interfering or asking questions about something that is private: · Whitney, you just mind your own business. He can do what he wants.· He wanted a copy of the will but I told him it was none of his business.· I didn't ask, because it's none of my business really, but I was sure curious.
spoken informal to not get involved in a fight or an argument between other people: · It isn't your business, you stay out of it and let her handle it.· I know what I'm doing - you keep out of it.stay/keep well out of it (=not interfere at all) British: · They're always arguing about money, but I try to stay well out of it.
also not have anything to do with somebody if a situation has nothing to do with someone, it is very personal and private, and that person has no right to interfere in it: · I really shouldn't have told her about it - it had nothing to do with her, really.· Back off and let me handle it. It's nothing to do with you.
British /leave/let well enough alone American spoken to not interfere or try to change a situation, because you might make it worse than before: · I should have left well enough alone, and never told my parents what had happened at all.· Once you've finished a project, leave well alone and go on to the next one.
knowing a lot about something someone who is knowledgeable knows a lot of different facts, especially about a particular subject or activity: · Visitors should use reputable travel firms with knowledgeable guides, and avoid camping alone.knowledgeable about/in: · Gradually the band became more knowledgeable about the business dealings in the music industry.
knowing a lot about what is happening, especially about what is happening in the world: · "Le Monde' is a newspaper designed for well-informed readers.· According to one well-informed source, the two sides are very near to reaching an agreement.well-informed about: · Abdul Karim was particularly well- informed about American politics.
to know a lot about a particular subject or about various subjects, so that you are usually able to answer anything that people ask you: · The British Ambassador proved to be a mine of information on the subject of the Royal Family.
British /be up on American spoken to know a lot about something, including the most recent information: · How well up are you on men's fashion?· Don't ask me - I'm not really up on current events in that part of the world.
to always know what changes and developments are happening in a particular situation or organization: have your finger on the pulse of: · As a manager of a bookshop, I have to have my finger on the pulse of the publishing industry.
to make sure that you know all the most recent news about what is happening somewhere or about new developments in a particular subject: · When we lived abroad, we always kept abreast of what was happening at home.· It's very important for students to keep up to date with developments in their own field of study.
to stay in good condition for a particular period of time use this about clothes, equipment, furniture etc to say how long they will remain in good condition: · Cheap saucepans can't really be expected to last.· It's amazing how long this car has lasted, really.· You can get washable plastic lace by the yard, which lasts much better than the real thing.last (for) 7 years/2 months/a long time etc: · Some wine-makers will tell you that a cask lasts only for four years.· When the houses were put up in 1946, they really weren't meant to last more than ten years.last (somebody) a lifetime (=last a very long time): · With care, a mahogany dining table will last you a lifetime.· Well-made golf clubs ought to last a lifetime, so it's worth paying the extra.
use this about food or drink to say how long it will remain fresh: · You'd better eat these cakes today -- they won't keep.keep for 2 days/24 hours etc: · The yoghurt will keep for about a week in a refrigerator.keep until/till: · Do you think this bacon will keep till tomorrow?keep well: · Eat celery as soon as possible -- it does not keep well for long periods.
use this about food or about flowers that have been cut: · Homemade bread never stays as fresh as the stuff you buy in the supermarket.stay fresh for 2 weeks/2 days/a long time etc: · Strain the stock and put in a sealed container. It should stay fresh for up to three days.· Bend the stems, as this will make the blooms stay fresh for longer.
to put a limit on something to stop a number or amount from becoming too large, or stop someone from doing whatever they want: · The new law limits the number of foreign cars that can be imported.· Men hold most of the top jobs, and this limits women's opportunities for promotion.limit somebody/something to something: · Let's limit our discussion to the facts in the report.limit yourself to something: · As you look for material to write about, don't limit yourself to other people's ideas.
to strictly control and limit the size, amount, or range of something: · The law would restrict the sale of handguns.restrict somebody/something to something: · This year's AIDS conference is restricted in size to fewer than 3,000 participants.restrict yourself to something: · McGregor has said he will voluntarily restrict himself to $2.2 million in campaign spending.
to control the size or amount of something, or to control an activity, by deciding what the limits of it will be: set/impose/put a limit on: · Governments should put strict limits on tobacco advertising.· The courts have imposed limits on school officials' power to dismiss teachers.set/impose a limit of something: · The president set a time limit of 6 months for the negotiations to produce an agreement.set/impose a limit: · Parents need to know when to set limits for their children's behavior.
if you keep to or keep within the limits of something, you make yourself stay within those limits: · We need to keep to the schedule if we're going to finish on time.· Keep within the speed limit and you should have no problems.
to keep something within the limits of a particular activity or subject, especially when it is difficult for you to do this: confine somebody/something to something: · Rebel troops have confined their attacks mainly to the southern part of the country.confine yourself to something: · The report confines itself to known and verifiable facts.
to decide on the limit of something, especially something that often changes, and make it stay the same for a long time: · Interest rates for savings accounts have been fixed at 7% for the rest of the year.· The project has finally been approved and the budget has been fixed.
to look after something to keep something in good condition and make sure that it does not get broken, damaged, or stolen: · You can have a new bike for Christmas if you promise to look after it.· You could see someone had been looking after the garden, even though the house had been empty for years.· The miniature railway is looked after by local volunteers.look after something for somebody: · You don't mind looking after the place for me while I'm away, do you?
especially spoken to look after something that belongs to someone else for a short time, by watching it to make sure that it does not get stolen or damaged: · Tom went into the library while I kept an eye on the bikes.· Does a neighbor keep an eye on your house while you are away?· Can you keep an eye on my bags while I go to the toilet?
to make sure that a car, machine, place, or building is in good condition by checking it and repairing it when necessary: · Residents work in the downstairs shop, and also help to maintain the building. · His role is to maintain the society's fleet of vans, ready to respond in any emergency.· An attempt was being made to maintain the grounds, but weeds were starting to grow in the driveway.
the job of maintaining a car, building, place, or machine: · A car is quite a big expense, especially when you consider maintenance.· Because there had been no maintenance, the college buildings were in a poor state.· the maintenance of public roadsroutine maintenance (=simple maintenance that must be done regularly): · Most gas appliances require routine maintenance once a year to ensure safety.maintenance costs (=the amount of money it costs to maintain something): · The city is paying $30,000 in annual maintenance costs.
the work or process of looking after something in order to keep it in good condition: care of: · She has become a leading expert on the care and maintenance of Renaissance paintings.· Care of the environment has become a priority in government thinking.· These photocopiers require a little extra care to keep them running right.hair-care/skin-care etc: · hair-care products· I'd advise you to follow a new skin care routine.
the continuous process and cost involved in keeping something in good condition, especially a building or garden: the upkeep of something: · The trustees are responsible for the upkeep of the bridge. · The Council's contribution towards the upkeep of the church is very much appreciated.· You get more for your money if you buy an old house, but upkeep costs will be higher
to look after someone especially British to spend time with a child or with someone who is old or sick, and make sure they are safe and have the things they need: · Can you look after the kids for me this afternoon?· I've told you, I can't come. There's no one to look after Frieda.· Jonathon has no idea what it means to take care of a baby all day long. · We specialize in helping caregivers who take care of relatives in their own homes.
to look after someone who is very ill or very old by doing everything for them: · Elsie had to leave her job to care for her sick father.· St Helen's Hospice, which cares for the terminally ill, is holding a special fund-raising week.· It is one of the only charities to care for Aids patients and ex-prisoners.
British to look after children for a short time while their parents are out doing something else: · The woman who minds Pip and Emma collects them from school and gives them an evening meal.· Mothers who work part-time are able to mind other people's children when they are not working.
also sit American to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere, especially when they pay you a small amount of money for doing this: · I'll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night.· Ask Alex and Joan next time you're babysitting.babysit for: · He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.· Jenny sat for us last Friday evening when we went to the movies.
to stay with a child and watch them to see that they are safe, especially for a short time: · Benjy, I want you to stay in the yard where I can keep an eye on you.· Would you mind keeping an eye on Stacey while I go for a cigarette?keep a close/careful/watchful eye on somebody: · He warned parents to continue to keep a close eye on their children.
to look after someone who is ill and to make them well again or to make them comfortable: · Tony nursed his wife through her long illness without ever complaining.· Irina had wanted to nurse him, but the doctors had sent her away.nurse somebody back to health (=look after a sick person until they are well again): · The monks tended his wounds and nursed him back to health.
British /caregiver American someone who looks after another person who is too young or ill to look after himself or herself - used especially on official forms, in official letters, in newspapers etc: · Hospital staff can provide additional home support for carers.· We have a high number of volunteer carers at the day centre.· Like many caregivers, Marian gave up her job to provide 24-hour care for an elderly relative.
what you say to tell someone not to move · Don't move or they'll see us.· Don't move. I'll be back in five minutes.
used to tell someone not to change position or not to move any part of their body: · If you can't keep still, how can I cut your hair?· Can you keep still for a minute, Kim?· Be quiet and stay still.
used especially by police officers to tell someone to stop moving and stand completely still: · "Freeze! Drop your weapons!" shouted the policeman.
used to tell someone not to go anywhere: · Stay where you are! Don't come any closer.· I'm going to look for a telephone. You stay right where you are until I come back.
to not go near to a person or place · You'd better not come near me. I've got a bad cold.· People didn't go anywhere near the place at night. They were frightened of ghosts.· Don't go too near the fire!
to never go near something or someone or to not go near them during a period of time, especially in order to avoid danger or trouble: · Stay away from the edge of the cliff.stay/keep well away from something/somebody: · If I were you I'd keep well away from him. He doesn't have a good reputation.
to not go too close to someone or something, especially because it might be dangerous or harmful to go near: · Police warned the public to keep their distance if they saw a man fitting this description.keep your distance from: · Stick to the paths, and make sure you keep your distance from nesting birds.
if you tell someone to keep back or stay back , you mean that they should not come nearer, especially because of possible danger: · Keep back, everyone! The tree may come down at any moment.keep/stay well back: · She lit the bonfire and told the children to stay well back.
to obey a law, rule, or custom to do what a law or rule says you must do: · Drivers obey speed laws only when they think the police are near.obey the law: · All citizens must obey the law and be loyal to the Constitution.obey the rules: · She was one of those people who obeyed the rules and was never irresponsible.
formal if you comply with a law or a decision, you do what it says you must do: · Companies must comply with European employment laws.· Failure to comply with these conditions could result in prosecution.
to accept and obey a decision, rule, agreement etc, even though you may not agree with it: · Those are the rules and regulations -- we don't make them but we have to abide by them.· Players have to abide by the referee's decision.· Generally, journalists abide by an agreed code of practice.
to always obey the law or rules closely and not ignore them: · If you keep to the rules nothing can go wrong.· Keep to the law, but apart from that, do whatever you have to do to find this man.· Do you always keep to the speed limit when you're driving?
informal to do something exactly as it should be done, especially so that there is no chance of anything going wrong: · Everyone in the party has a responsibility to stick to the rules agreed by the party conference.· Failure to stick to the safety rules could result in disaster.
to be correct according to a rule or regulation: · British meat products now have to conform to strict hygiene regulations.· Many classroom interactions do not conform to the rules of normal conversation.
formal to take notice of and obey rules, laws, customs etc: · You can avoid danger by observing these simple rules.· Too many accidents are occurring at work because employers are not observing safety regulations.· We try to observe the local customs so that we don't offend people.
formal to obey the law or customs of a place, especially because you believe it is important to obey them: · The President is expected to respect the constitution.· He's an honest, responsible citizen who respects the law and is dedicated to his family.
to obey the rules and behave in an acceptable way in your job or in an organization, even if you do not want to, do not agree etc: · They didn't agree, but as government employees they had to toe the line.· Gail realized that she had to toe the line if she wanted to keep her job.
to do something exactly according to the rules or instructions, rather than in your own way: · Police must always go completely by the book when making arrests.· My financial advisor is very straight - he does everything by the book.
too often, in a way that is annoying especially spoken to do something many times, in a way that is annoying: · Dad, Bobby keeps hitting me!· How can I explain if you keep on interrupting me?· I keep forgetting to mail this letter.
if someone or something is always doing something, or someone or something does something all the time , it annoys you because they do it too often: · I'm sick of Harold, he's always telling me what to do.· What do you mean you never see me? You're at my house all the time.· I don't know about you, but I'm always having arguments with people!· He was always trying to persuade me to go out drinking with him.
use this when you are very annoyed because something happens repeatedly over a long period of time: · They seemed to be continually arguing.· I wish you'd clean up your room without having to be constantly reminded.
spoken if someone or something is forever doing something, they annoy you by doing it very often over a long period of time: · He never does his homework on time and is forever getting into trouble at school.· We bought a new washing machine. The old one was forever breaking down.
spoken say this when you are describing something annoying or bad that someone does very often: · Half the time the managers don't know what's going on.· I never know where he is - half the time he doesn't return my phone calls.
use this to say that something has been done many times, especially when this is annoying or does not have any effect: · I've told you time and time again not to play with matches - it's dangerous.· I see people making the same mistakes, time and time again.
if something happens with great regularity , it keeps happening, often in an annoying way: · Yes, the bank keep piling these outrageous charges on my bank account with great regularity.· With great regularity, wasps would fly in through the open window and get trapped behind the glass.
if someone talks about something ad nauseam , they talk about it for so long that it becomes very annoying or boring: · We've discussed this ad nauseam, and I don't see the point of going over the same ground again.· He goes on ad nauseam about how much better everything was in the old days.
to force someone to stay in a place as a prisoner to force someone to stay in a place, as if they were a prisoner: · West had abducted the young girl and kept her in his basement for 10 days.keep somebody prisoner: · Police think that the woman may have been kept prisoner for the twenty four hours before she was murdered.
if an enemy or group of criminals takes someone hostage , they keep that person as a prisoner, and threaten to kill or injure them unless they get what they want: · The government is concerned that British troops might be taken hostage by guerrillas.· A band of human rights activists stormed the embassy and took several people hostage.
to keep someone in a place and not allow them to leave - used especially in news reports: · Police are holding two men in connection with the robbery.hold somebody prisoner/hostage/captive: · Several tourists were being held captive by rebels in Kashmir.· Militant prisoners held 24 guards hostage on Friday, as jail unrest spread throughout the country.
to make someone stay in a very small place, with the result that their freedom or movements are restricted: confine somebody to something: · The judge has confined the jury to their hotel until after the verdict.· All the illegal immigrants were confined to a small island in the harbour.be confined in: · Brett was eventually confined in a psychiatric hospital, where he committed suicide.
informal to put or keep someone in a place so that they are no longer free: shut somebody up: · According to the legend, Acrisius built an underground house for his daughter. Here he shut her up and guarded her.· The lawyer claimed that his client had been shut up in a prison cell for hours, when there was no legal reason to keep him.
unwilling to talk to other people about yourself a private person is one who likes being alone and does not talk much about their thoughts or feelings: · Lou's a very private person - I don't know anything about her family.· Brando is a private man who almost never gives interviews to the press.
British /keep to yourself American to not spend much time with other people and not talk much with other people, especially about your personal feelings or opinions: · Mrs Jackson, a widow who kept herself to herself, lived in the flat above.· Until he got used to his new school, Davy kept to himself and almost never spoke to the other children.
what you say to someone to tell them to be quiet spoken say shh when you want someone to speak more quietly or make less noise: · Shh, keep the noise down, Timmy's asleep.
informal a rude way of telling someone to stop talking: · Just shut up, will you! You're giving me a headache!shut up about: · Don't tell Grandma or she'll never shut up about it.· "The war, the war, the bloody war!" said Comfort, banging her fist on the table."Why can't you all shut up about it?"
spoken say be quiet to tell someone to stop talking or to make less noise, especially when you are annoyed with them: · "Be quiet, James!" she snapped.· Boys! Can you be quiet please? I can hardly hear myself think.
say this when you want someone to speak more quietly or make less noise, especially because you do not want other people to hear them: · Keep it down! I'm trying to talk on the phone!· Hey you guys - keep it down, or Mom'll hear!
to try to remember something that you may need to know later also memorise British to learn facts, numbers, lines etc from a piece of writing or music, so that you can remember them later: · Wesley would pray for hours and memorize large sections of the Bible. · Don't write down your PIN number, memorize it.
to remember something, such as a fact or information, especially by writing it down, because you may need to know it in the future: · Before leaving, she noted the times of the return trains.note down (=to write the things you have to remember): · He read the text carefully, noting down the queries to be resolved later.
to make yourself remember something because you may need to know it or do it in the future: · I let the remark pass, but made a mental note for myself.make a mental note to do something: · I said nothing to Liz, but made a mental note to ask her sister about it later.make a mental note of: · As he came in, I made a mental note of where he put the keys.
to remember a fact or some information because it will be useful to you in the future: bear/keep in mind that: · Keep in mind that the teacher's previous experience in preparing students for the Cambridge exam can influence the results. bear/keep something in mind: · "You're always welcome to stay here, you know." "Thanks, I'll bear it in mind."· For users unfamiliar with the system, there are a few general points to keep in mind.be worth keeping/bearing something in mind: · It's worth keeping in mind that drinks are cheaper before eight o'clock.
to save something to use later to keep something and not use it now, so that you can use it later when you want it or need it: · Save some of the cheese to sprinkle on top of the sauce.· We can use half the wood now but we ought to keep the rest -- we might need it.save/keep something for something: · He took out his last cigarette, which he'd been saving for just this moment.save/keep something for somebody: · We'd have kept some food for you if we'd known you were coming.save/keep something for later: · I'll keep some of these magazines for later, and read them on the plane.save something for a rainy day (=save something to use at a time when you really need it): · Would you like some Scotch? I have a bottle somewhere that I've been saving for a rainy day.
to save part of something, so that if the part that you are using is not good enough, large enough etc, you will have more to use: · Luckily I had kept some wine in reserve, in case the rest got finished quickly.keep sth in reserve for: · It's a good idea to keep a little money in reserve for those unexpected emergencies.
to not use or give away all of something, so that you still have some of it left for yourself or for another purpose: keep something back: · Keep a small amount of icing back for the other cake.keep back something: · Most farmers are able to keep back enough of their crop for their own use.
: conserve resources/energy/materials etc to use something very carefully so that you will have enough for the future: · Recycling helps conserve natural and often limited resources.· As a way of conserving water, people were not allowed to use hosepipes or wash their cars.
to not tell other people about a secret to not tell someone about something: · I told you not to tell anyone!· 'Who's that letter from?' 'I'm not telling you.'not tell somebody what/how/why etc: · Henry wouldn't tell me what the surprise was.· Penny laughed, but she wouldn't tell me why.not tell about: · Vinny didn't tell the police about his visit to Mahoney's apartment.· You'd better not tell Elizabeth about this.not tell of: · Margaret had not yet told her sons of her planned engagement.not tell (that): · Carl felt I'd been deceiving him all these years by not telling him I was gay.without telling somebody: · I was annoyed that he'd left without telling me.
to not tell other people something, because you want it to remain secret: · They wanted to keep their relationship secret for as long as possible.· The graves were covered up in a deliberate attempt to keep the killings secret.· So you've been keeping it secret all this time?keep sth secret from: · Mary kept her illness secret, even from family members.
someone who can keep a secret will not tell your secrets to other people, so you can trust them with secret information: · Can you keep a secret?· 'Can I trust you?' 'I'm honest, and I can keep a secret'.
to deliberately not talk about something in public, especially something you are ashamed or embarrassed about: · Parotti had threatened to expose the illegal arrangements unless he was paid $50,000 to keep quiet. · Some people disagree with what the government is doing, but they keep quiet for fear of reprisals.keep quiet about: · We used to keep quiet about some of the things that went on in the prison.keep quiet over: · I think they should have kept quiet over that.keep something quiet (=keep something secret): · The minister denied that the case had been kept quiet or hidden.keep somebody quiet (=do something to stop someone telling a secret): · She'd been brutally murdered to keep her quiet.
to deliberately not tell someone about something, especially because you think they would be upset if they knew the truth: · Edward never told anyone about his illness. He even tried to keep it from his wife.· The president has a reputation for keeping key decisions from even his closest aides.· She tried in every way to keep the truth from her parents.
to not allow people to know about something that has been officially planned or decided: be kept under wraps: · It's been suggested the report was kept under wraps to avoid controversy.· Ford's new range of cars is being kept firmly under wraps until the Geneva auto show.
the ability to judge when you should or should not tell people things that you know about someone or something: · Absolute discretion is required from everyone working for the Royal Family.leave something to somebody's discretion: · I leave it to your discretion as to whether you should tell your colleagues.show/exercise discretion: · TV commentators have shown great discretion, glossing over the problems in her personal life. · Can junior managers be trusted to exercise discretion when making decisions?be the (very) soul of discretion (=be the sort of person who will never tell something that should be kept secret): · You can tell Martin anything -- he's the very soul of discretion.
when what someone does or says is kept very secret, so that only a few people know about it: · There is a great deal of secrecy within the organization.· Why all the secrecy? You've got nothing to be ashamed of.utmost secrecy: · Our commanding officer emphasized the need to maintain the utmost secrecy about the operation at all times.swear somebody to secrecy (=make someone promise that they will not tell other people a secret): · Anna swore me to secrecy on the subject of her family until her book came out.a veil/shroud/cloak of secrecy: · The gunmen tracked down their target, despite the shroud of secrecy surrounding his whereabouts.
the trust that exists between people who share secrets, especially between a professional person such as a doctor or lawyer and someone who gives them private advice: · Alexander declined to comment, citing attorney--client confidentiality.· Researchers should always be able to guarantee complete confidentiality for their subjects.· Data encryption ensures the privacy and confidentiality of email messages.breach/violate confidentiality (=to break confidentiality by telling someone a secret): · The health clinic has again been caught violating patient confidentiality.breach of confidentiality: · You doctor should not have told your parents about the abortion -- that was a blatant breach of confidentiality.
to stop someone sleeping · Molly kept Paula awake all night talking.· Angry neighbours say they are regularly kept awake by guests leaving the hotel late at night.· These terrifying thoughts sometimes kept me awake for hours.
to prevent someone from going to bed or from going to sleep when they want to go to sleep: · Arnold would keep us all up with his long, rambling stories.· I'm often kept up by the noise of laughter and music from next door.
to prevent someone from doing what they want to do to make it impossible for someone to do something that they want to do: prevent somebody from doing something: · A leg injury may prevent Shearer from playing in tomorrow's game.· There were reports that some people had been prevented from voting in the election.
to stop someone from doing something that they want to do, especially by controlling them in an unreasonable way: · I've made up my mind to leave home, and you can't stop me.stop somebody (from) doing something: · My parents tried to stop me seeing Anne.· The government has taken legal action to stop the BBC from broadcasting a documentary about the Secret Service.
to prevent someone from doing something, especially something that might be harmful or upsetting: · Staying busy kept her from thinking about her illness.· It was all I could do to keep myself from hitting him.
to prevent someone from doing something harmful or stupid, either by physically stopping them or by persuading them not to do it: · Roger stepped forward and Martin put out his arm to restrain him.restrain yourself: · She wanted to ask him all about his private life, but wisely restrained herself.restrain somebody from doing something: · His arm was hurting him and he had to be restrained from doing too much.
to prevent someone or something from moving forward or making progress: hold back somebody/something: · The police had already erected crash barriers to hold back the advancing crowds.· The poor economic situation has held back investment in new technology.hold somebody/something back: · Bill leapt to his feet to go after the girl, but the others held him back.· She always felt that being a woman had held her back in her career.
to make someone too busy to do something else, especially something they should do: · Don't let your social life get in the way of your education.
to make it less likely that someone will do something, for example by showing them that it may have a bad or unwelcome result: · Higher taxes are likely to discourage investment.· It is a well known fact that a negative working environment discourages creativity.discourage somebody from doing something: · Higher cigarette prices do not seem to discourage people from smoking.
to not talk about a particular subject · It's been three months, but he won't talk about the accident.· She doesn't talk about her husband half as much as she did when he first died.· I don't know what my parents think about my living here - we never talk about it.
to not talk about something, because it could be embarrassing or difficult, or just because you did not think about talking about it: · Didn't she say anything about the party?· Don't say anything about the divorce - it will only upset her.· The company's policy is not to say anything about former employees other than to give their period of employment.
to not talk about something, even for a short time or carelessly: · We were careful not to mention her son's legal problems.· He doesn't mention Cathy anymore when he writes - I wonder if they broke up?not mention (that): · I didn't mention that we were going to the movies in front of John.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · I normally keep off the subject of ex-girlfriends on a first date.· Unless the interviewer asks you directly, keep off the question of why you left your last job.
to deliberately stop talking about a particular subject, especially because it is embarrassing, upsetting, or annoying someone: · "You'll never get me to believe that!" she screeched, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.· Can we just drop the subject? I'm sick of hearing about it.· Look, just drop it, OK? I understood you the first time.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · We try to steer clear of controversial issues in the workshops.· Her press agent asked the interviewer to steer clear of questions about her love life.
to not talk about an event or situation from the past for a long time, especially because it is very difficult to talk about: · He had kept silent about the murder for ten years before he went to the police.· They said they'd kill her if she didn't keep quiet about what she'd seen.
if you gloss over unpleasant facts, you deliberately avoid talking about them or you only mention them quickly and without giving much detail: · It seems to me he was glossing over some major risks of the plan.· In a job interview you should highlight your strengths and gloss over your weaknesses.
to deliberately not tell someone a secret · I'm leaving next month to start another job, but don't tell anyone just yet.· She knew she had cancer, but she didn't tell anyone.
to not tell other people about something or not let them find out about it: · He said it was vital to keep Operation Beehive secret.· It was impossible for the affair to be kept secret.keep sth (a) secret from: · At first I tried to keep my illness a secret from my wife.
to not tell anyone anything at all about something, because it is very important that no one knows about it: · It's supposed to be a big surprise, so don't breathe a word.· Don't worry, I won't tell a soul about any of this.
to not tell anyone about something that you know is happening, especially something that other people would disapprove of because it is slightly illegal or unfair: keep quiet about: · I wish I'd kept quiet about the money.· We'd better keep quiet about this for now.keep it quiet: · We can give you a 10% raise, but not the others -- so keep it quiet, won't you?
to not tell other people something that someone has told you, or something that you have found out about: · Don't tell Sam -- he's incapable of keeping anything to himself.· Branson knew who the killer was, but had kept it to himself for twenty years.
to deliberately not tell someone something that you know, especially because you are worried about telling them, or because it might upset them: · If a patient is dying, I don't think doctors have a right to keep it from them.· I've tried to ask her what's worrying her, but she says it's nothing. I'm sure she's keeping something from me.
to not tell someone certain facts about something when telling them everything else about it: keep something back: · I got the feeling he was keeping something back.keep back something: · Although most of the facts were published the government kept back certain details that might prove embarrassing.keep something back from somebody/keep back something from somebody: · I must now confess something which I kept back from you earlier.
to understand each part of a story, explanation etc to understand a story, explanation, or talk that continues for a long time: · I had difficulty following the story - there are so many different characters.difficult/hard/easy to follow: · The lecture was very hard to follow.
informal to have understood everything so far in an explanation that someone is giving: · I'm sorry but I'm not with you. Could you explain that part again?· Then you press this button. Are you with me so far?
to manage to understand each part of something, especially a very long or complicated explanation or story: · She covers so much in these lectures -- I don't know how you manage to keep up. keep up with: · It's a complicated film, and some people may find it hard to keep up with the plot.
to not want to do or have something: not want to do something · She doesn't want to see me anymore.· We asked him to come with us, but he said he didn't want to.not want somebody to do something · "Why didn't he tell me he was sick?" "He didn't want you to worry."
especially spoken to not want to do something, especially because you think you would not enjoy it or because you feel too lazy: · I don't feel like writing that essay today.· Some days she just doesn't feel like going to work.
spoken say this when you do not want to do something, especially because you think it may cause problems for you: · I could lend him the money, but to be honest, I'd rather not.I'd rather not do something: · I'd rather not talk about it right now.
formal to not want to do something, even though you should do it or someone wants you to do it: · She is unwilling to admit that she was wrong.· Most people here are unwilling to give up their cars and use buses and trains instead.
informal you say that someone is welcome to something when you do not like it and you are happy for them to have it instead of you: · She's welcome to her smart friends and glittering parties -- I'll take the quiet life anytime.· He can keep his money -- he's not going to bribe me!
formal to not want to do something, especially something that you are being asked or forced to do: · Sarah had been to Harlow before, and had no desire to go there again.· Richards tried to enlist my support, but I had no desire to get involved.
spoken use this to say strongly that you really do not want to do something that someone has suggested or mentioned: · Apologize to that creep! I'd rather die!
to pay attention to the way a situation develops · Both candidates are watching the opinion polls carefully.watch somebody do something · We have watched hundreds of small firms collapse over the last few years.watch how/when/what etc · Many swimmers are videoed during training so they can watch how their performance improves.
to watch a situation carefully over a period of time, especially so that you are prepared for anything bad that might happen: · If I were you, I'd keep an eye on house prices for a while before you decide to sell.keep a close/careful eye on something: · Government experts will be keeping a close eye on the new currency to see whether it proves successful.
to carefully watch a situation over a period of time, to see how it changes or develops: · Doctors monitored her progress during the night.· We will of course monitor the campaign to assess its effectiveness.
to watch to make sure that nothing bad happens to someone or something · Stay here and watch our bags while I go and buy some food.· Don't let children play near water without an adult to watch them.
especially spoken to watch someone or something by occasionally going to look at them over a long period of time: · Keep an eye on the baby, in case he gets too near the fire.· Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the house for you while you're away.· You'd better come into hospital where we can keep an eye on you.
to have to watch someone very carefully all the time because you think something bad might happen to them: · You have to be so careful with small children - you can't take your eyes off them for a minute.
when doctors watch a patient carefully because they think they might suddenly become more ill: keep somebody in (the hospital) for observation: · They kept him in overnight just for observation.under observation: · She spent two nights in hospital under observation, before being allowed home.
to write a letter or message to write someone a letter: · Sorry, I haven't had time to write.· Keith hasn't written for a while.write a letter/postcard etc to somebody: · I try to write a cheerful letter to her at least once a week.· We wrote about 20 postcards while we were in Greece.· I wasn't happy, so I wrote a nasty letter asking for my money back.write to: · He wrote to his father, asking for more money.write somebody American (=write a letter to someone): · I just wrote him saying how much I missed him being around.write back (=write a letter to someone after they have written one to you): · Why didn't you write back?write in (=to write and send a letter to an organization): · A lot of listeners wrote in and complained about the programme.
to write a letter and send it in order to buy something, take part in a competition, have something sent to you etc: write off for something: · Write off today for your free Batman poster!write off to somebody: · I wrote off to Friends of the Earth and they sent me some leaflets.
also email to send someone a message using the Internet: · Please e-mail your CV to the address below.e-mail somebody: · So, if you e-mail someone in California, you only pay local phone rates.e-mail somebody with something: · She e-mailed me with her new address, but I deleted it by mistake.
spoken informal to send someone a letter: · Why don't you give me a call or drop me a line sometime?· What do you think? Drop me a line at the Washington Post Weekend section and share your thoughts.
to write to someone, or phone them, especially someone you have not seen or written to for a long time: · I'd love to get in touch with Monique again. Do you have her new address?· We help adopted children who want to get in touch with their natural parents.
to write to someone that you do not know, or phone them, especially in order to ask for help or information: · Elsa contacted several companies to ask if they could offer her part-time work.· If the problem continues, try contacting a software expert.
to continue to write to someone or phone them, when you no longer work with them or live near them: · I met Pia in Sweden and we've stayed in touch ever since.keep/stay in touch with: · Do you keep in touch with any of your friends from school?
formal to write letters to someone and receive letters from them, especially regularly: · They started to correspond two years ago. correspond with: · I'm a 21-year old Kenyan student who wishes to correspond with students from Britain or the US.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
We huddled around the fire to keep warm. I was struggling to keep awake. Keep your room tidy. some toys to keep the kids amused You won’t be able to keep it secret forever. Peter cycles to work to keep fit. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer! How can I cut your hair if you won’t keep still! How do I know you’ll keep your word? patients who fail to keep their appointments Sorry to keep you waiting – I got stuck in a meeting. His only thought was to keep the child from harm. She was struggling to keep back the tears. Keep your voice down – she’ll hear you! Can you keep it down – I’m trying to work. There’s no need to keep on and on about it! Costs must be kept to a minimum. The Treasury borrowed £40 billion, just to stay afloat. Somehow we kept the ship afloat. Getting ahead at work is the most important thing to her at the moment. He was kept alive on a life-support machine. She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class. The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew. The police try to keep rival supporters apart at all matches. There were lots of activities to keep the kids busy. I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. We must all stay close. The money kept him in clover for years. Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential. Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control. The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control. his ability to keep cool in a crisis College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’s going to be OK. I swim twice a week to try and keep fit. Seb struggled to keep his footing on the slippery path. Simmons says that her family keeps her grounded. Gunmen stood guard at the camp entrance. I always keep my gun handy just in case. I pretended to agree with her, just to keep her happy. She keeps a bottle of gin hidden behind a stack of books. He decided to keep a journal. Now that the crisis is over, we must try to get things back on an even keel. The captain always keeps a log. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists. This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand. The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy. The museum has enough exhibits to keep anyone occupied for an hour or two. I kept myself occupied by watching television. I was so sleepy, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Officers investigating her death are keeping their options open. We try to keep the mountain roads open all through the winter. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. a priceless work of art that must be kept for posterity The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet. We always keep some money in reserve, just in case. You shouldn’t keep the engine running when the car is standing still. Make sure you keep these documents safe. Keep your credit cards in a safe place. The boss of the failed company is keeping schtum about his role in the disaster. Is anybody keeping score (=making a record of the score)? They kept their relationship secret from their parents. He tries to keep his professional life completely separate from his private life. She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape. She kept silent, forcing Buchanan to continue. I don’t know how we managed to remain solvent. A special team of police were kept on standby. Men were taught to keep a stiff upper lip. I found it very difficult to keep a straight face. The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours. Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away. I try to keep the garden tidy. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. The government is keeping tight control on immigration. Sometimes I don’t know what keeps us together. If you want to get in trim for summer, try aerobics. My job was to keep the garden in trim. The group decided to make a video diary of the cycling trip. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside. I’ve put your dinner in the oven to keep it warm. One of his responsibilities is to keep a watching brief on foreign broadcasts. the amount of exercise needed to keep your body in working orderCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
We huddled around the fire to keep warm. I was struggling to keep awake. Keep your room tidy. some toys to keep the kids amused You won’t be able to keep it secret forever. Peter cycles to work to keep fit. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer! How can I cut your hair if you won’t keep still! (=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
How do I know you’ll keep your word? patients who fail to keep their appointments Sorry to keep you waiting – I got stuck in a meeting. His only thought was to keep the child from harm. She was struggling to keep back the tears. Keep your voice down – she’ll hear you! Can you keep it down – I’m trying to work. There’s no need to keep on and on about it! Costs must be kept to a minimum. (=continue to work hard and well)
(=try to have the same new impressive possessions that other people have)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· We try to keep the patients active by taking them for a daily walk.
The Treasury borrowed £40 billion, just to stay afloat. Somehow we kept the ship afloat. (also stick to an agreement informal) (=do what you have agreed)· It’s important to keep to your student loan agreement.
Getting ahead at work is the most important thing to her at the moment. He was kept alive on a life-support machine. She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class. The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew. The police try to keep rival supporters apart at all matches. (=go to an appointment that you have arranged)· Please let us know if you cannot keep your appointment.
· The police ordered people to stay away from the area.
· I was tired and it was hard to stay awake.
· The noise of the airplanes kept me awake.
(=stay steady)· The sea was so rough that it was hard to keep your balance.
· Try to keep a balance between your spending and your earnings.· A firm must strive to maintain a balance between business and financial risk.
(=spend only the money that is available)· Further cuts are needed in order to keep within the budget.
There were lots of activities to keep the kids busy. I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. (=check something regularly)· Keep a check on your baby’s temperature.
· Can you keep a checklist of what we need to buy?
· You should always keep your kitchen clean.
(=watch someone or something carefully)· They have to keep a close eye on their finances.
We must all stay close. The money kept him in clover for years. (=give one continuously)· Attenborough kept up a running commentary on the animals' movements.
(=be with someone so that they do not feel lonely)· Mum was out so I stayed at home to keep my younger sister company.
(=stay calm) The widow broke down in tears, but her daughters maintained their composure.
The widow broke down in tears, but her daughters maintained their composure. Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential. (also maintain contact formal)· We’ve stayed in contact since we met on holiday.
Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control. The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control. his ability to keep cool in a crisis (also retain a copy of something formal)· Did you keep a copy of the email?
· The men have been held in custody since they were arrested.
· Keeping prices low helps to retain customers.
British English (=keep something secret) Apparently, he has a son, but he’s kept that very dark.
Apparently, he has a son, but he’s kept that very dark. College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. (also keep pace with demand) (=satisfy the demand)· Public funding for higher education has not kept up with demand.
(=write regularly in a diary)· While I was travelling, I kept a diary every day.
(also maintain discipline formal) (=make people obey the rules)· A good teacher knows how to maintain discipline.
· We managed to keep dry inside an old farm building.
· I couldn’t get to the gym, so I did a few keep-fit exercises in my bedroom.
(=prevent them from closing)· I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.
(=be watching something with all your attention)· Ted sat with his eyes glued to the television.
(=make sure that you know about the most recent fashions)· Lucy likes to keep up with the latest fashions.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’s going to be OK. (=have them as pets or for breeding)· We used to keep tropical fish when I was young.
I swim twice a week to try and keep fit. Seb struggled to keep his footing on the slippery path. British English (also neat American English)· The hotel is set in a well-kept garden.
(=keep looking at someone or something)· I kept my gaze fixed on the television and didn’t look at him as he left the room.
Simmons says that her family keeps her grounded. Gunmen stood guard at the camp entrance. I always keep my gun handy just in case. I pretended to agree with her, just to keep her happy. She keeps a bottle of gin hidden behind a stack of books. (=hold something without letting go)· I had to run to keep hold of the leather strap.
(=keep it at a low level)· These policies will help to keep inflation down.
(=be at the same level as inflation)· Salaries have not kept pace with inflation.
He decided to keep a journal. Now that the crisis is over, we must try to get things back on an even keel. The captain always keeps a log. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists. This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand. (=to keep something at a low level)· Keep the noise to a minimum, will you?
(=not do things that cause trouble etc)· Can I trust you to stay our of mischief for half an hour?
(=prevent someone from causing trouble)· Playing football helps keep him out of mischief.
(also sustain the momentum formal) (=keep being successful)· Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and win the next game as well.
(=keep morale high)· It was becoming difficult to keep up the morale of the troops.
The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy. (=remain calm and confident in a difficult situation)· The team held their nerve and went on to win.
(=closely watch someone or something over a period of time)· The doctor ordered that the patient be kept under observation.
The museum has enough exhibits to keep anyone occupied for an hour or two. I kept myself occupied by watching television. I was so sleepy, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Officers investigating her death are keeping their options open. We try to keep the mountain roads open all through the winter. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. (=not say what you really think)· As the youngest person there, I knew enough to keep my opinions to myself.
(=to not limit what you can choose to do later)· Studying a broad range of subjects helps to keep your options open.
(=continue to do something or happen as quickly as before)· China's society is transforming but can it keep up the pace?
(=do something as fast as something else is happening or being done)· It’s essential that we constantly update our skills and keep up with the pace of change.
· They kept carefully to the paths and did not go across the farmer's fields.
(=be able to make regular payments)· He was having trouble meeting the interest payments.
· I hope we can all keep this issue in perspective.
(=have one in your home)· Tenants aren’t allowed to keep pets.· Many species of parrot can be kept as pets.
· We’re sticking to our original plan.
(=do what you promised to do)· He has not kept his election pledges.
a priceless work of art that must be kept for posterity (=keep pretending that you are doing something or that something is true)· She kept up the pretence that her husband had died in order to claim the insurance money.
(also fulfil a promise British English, fulfill a promise American English formal) (=do what you promised to do)· She said she would come back, and she kept her promise.· The mayor has fulfilled his promise to get tough on corruption.
The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet.· Teachers keep a record of students’ progress.
We always keep some money in reserve, just in case. (=continue to review it)· He recommended that the matter should be kept under review.
You shouldn’t keep the engine running when the car is standing still. Make sure you keep these documents safe. Keep your credit cards in a safe place. The boss of the failed company is keeping schtum about his role in the disaster. Is anybody keeping score (=making a record of the score)? (also retain a seat formal) (=not lose it in an election)· He is unlikely to retain his seat after next year's election.· Labour managed to hold the seat, but with a reduced majority.
They kept their relationship secret from their parents. (=not tell it to anyone)· Can you keep a secret?
(=a secret that few people are allowed to know)· The recipe is a closely-guarded secret.
· Throughout it all she retained her sense of fun.
He tries to keep his professional life completely separate from his private life. She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape.· When it’s so hot, we keep the doors and windows shut and put on the air conditioner.
She kept silent, forcing Buchanan to continue.· Keep your explanation as simple as possible.
I don’t know how we managed to remain solvent. (=keep them feeling happy)· He wrote home often, trying to keep his family’s spirits up.
A special team of police were kept on standby. Men were taught to keep a stiff upper lip. (=make someone laugh) Her jokes had us all in stitches.
Her jokes had us all in stitches. I found it very difficult to keep a straight face. (=not talk about it)· I knew he was trying to avoid the subject of drugs.· She hoped that Anna would keep off the subject of Luke for the next few hours.
The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours.· She tried to speak calmly and control her temper.
Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away. I try to keep the garden tidy. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. The government is keeping tight control on immigration. (=control it very firmly) The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power. Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power. Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings. (=manage a company, organization etc strictly and effectively)
Sometimes I don’t know what keeps us together. (=keep writing or talking, even though you do not see each other often) Anyway, we must stay in touch. I met him when I worked in Madrid, and I’ve kept in touch with him ever since.
Anyway, we must stay in touch. I met him when I worked in Madrid, and I’ve kept in touch with him ever since. If you want to get in trim for summer, try aerobics. My job was to keep the garden in trim. (=to give someone all the newest information about something) Our magazine will keep you up to date with fashion.
Our magazine will keep you up to date with fashion. (=to make something more modern) The old system should be brought up to date.
The old system should be brought up to date. The group decided to make a video diary of the cycling trip. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside. (=not speak loudly)· Keep your voice down, they’ll hear you!
(=do as you promised)· She kept her vow not to tell anyone about their affair.
· He kept us waiting for half an hour.
I’ve put your dinner in the oven to keep it warm. (=wear enough clothes not to feel cold) Make sure you keep warm!
Make sure you keep warm! One of his responsibilities is to keep a watching brief on foreign broadcasts. (=become thinner or stay thin)· How can I keep my weight down?
(=become or stay thinner)· I changed my eating habits so I’d keep the weight off.
(=be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation)
the amount of exercise needed to keep your body in working order· Even Jimmy Savile, the man who helped bring them here, couldn't keep up with them.· They talked so fast that their interrogators had trouble keeping up.· Bill Strachan, its second owner, is keeping up the policy of good beer.· I had trouble keeping up with him.· Of course, that does mean keeping up your daily reading of newspapers and magazines and maintaining contact with journalists.· Some one gets ill or injured, or taunts a security guard, or keeps up serious noise all night long.· In fact, it was hard for her to keep up her end of the conversation.· Always important to keep up, you know.
NOUN· Because they were walking downhill her limp was making her awkward and she linked arms with him to keep her balance.· A pitcher throws to different parts of the plate, trying to keep the hitter off balance.· As the bridge sways, people's feet exert sideways forces on it to keep their balance.· I prayed that they would keep their balance.· The lights changed and the truck pulled off with Chase trying to keep his balance and looking thoroughly bemused.· To keep a balance of atmosphere, excess carbon dioxide needed to be removed by chemical filters.· You sit on the saddle and try and keep your balance and hold on to the handlebars.· Your endocrine system also keeps you in balance and maintains your readiness to respond to internal and external stressors.
· They kept a check on all our activities.· But it was rookie Coach Ray Rhodes who gets the most credit for keeping the team in check.· Hearts had marginally more possession but were kept in check by an Airdrie team expert at preventing their opponents from playing.· Mulch plants each spring with straw to conserve moisture and keep weeds in check.· But for his weakness and vacillation, peasant unrest and working-class militancy could have been kept in check by efficient and unwavering repression.· The wife tried to keep a check on him.
· It was like when she was eight, and Dead Daddy put her on Hero-9 to keep her under control.· If kept under control by regular mechanical cleaning of excess algae, they are often a positive addition to the tank.· Some of this was done no doubt to keep control in choppy political waters.· I kept control until the car had overtaken and was out of sight.· But it was men who helped Republicans keep control of Congress.· The scene might have been absorbing had I not been fighting to keep control of the wheelbarrow.· Margret Rey, who kept tight control over the vast franchise, died just before Christmas at the age of 90.
· I am finding it difficult to keep up this diary knowing you are away.· But Ickes says he dared not keep such a diary because it might have been subpoenaed.· But if you keep your on-line appointments diary up to date, a calendar on the network can compare everyone's schedules.· Each day we are to keep a diary.· If no obvious dramas have occurred, suggest your child keeps a diary which indicates dry or wet nights.· He spun an hour every day and kept a diary.· He kept his diaries for a record that would be published subsequent to the meetings.· She kept no diary in 1908.
· He'd laughed at her, teased her, and succeeded in keeping her at a distance.· This was why he kept his distance.· I walk along and she keeps pace and distance.· It is easy to see it now in the way labor has kept its distance from the plant-closing movement.· In Por Tanssie, the vibrancers had always been instructed to keep a certain distance between them.· Knowing how easily she could erupt, they kept their distance.· No ulterior motive lurks behind it, but it keeps you at a distance.· She kept her distance from me because she feared others would think me to be her offspring.
· I decided that I would keep an eye on Tom after that.· But still, I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to return his gaze.· Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house.· And would-be self-improvers among adults need only keep one eye on the checklist to produce an acceptable composition.· When he spoke at the exhibition, Vivien stood the whole time, keeping her eyes fixed upon his face.· Wade tried to keep his eyes level.· I couldn't keep my eyes open, I felt as if I was suffocating in a warm fug of words.· He claps and yells and paces and turns his back, and still keeps constant eye contact with manager Tom Lasorda.
· But Kate knew when enough was enough so she kept her peace.· The police replied that local authorities could keep peace.· Chamfer's easy confidence, and benign but firm manner, had often kept the peace in the Westside and Barrow Vale.· But he went out of his way to keep peace with retirees.· The judges extrapolated it from the fact that constables hold office under the Crown and are sworn to keep the peace.· We have always kept the peace.· Attempting to keep the semblance of peace, of ordinariness, he had, he now realized, sacrificed Katherine.· The leaders of the Basque and Navarrese communities swore that they would keep the peace and allow pilgrims to pass unmolested.
· She said she wanted to keep a promise to her husband that she would spend more time with the family.· Large global organizations are unable to keep their promises to provide these benefits.· He had kept his promise to Lais.· A resignation would force open the debate and make Dini keep his promise to quit, the Alliance argued.· Jessamy had promised faithfully not to open them until the morning of her birthday, and she had kept her promise.· A child might need to be prodded or compelled to keep a promise, or simply pressured to do a job well.· If he didn't keep his promise there was no knowing what Lee would do.· If you promise not to tell something, keep your promise or renegotiate with them.
· Many hospitals did not keep accurate records and some did not provide figures, the inquiry found.· The hostesses keep a record of what they eat, and the drinking is easily accounted for.· Law enforcement authorities simply keep a record of a low-risk offender.· In addition, the computer would run reading and diagnostic tests, offer remedial programmes and keep complete records of child attainment.· Ask them to keep a record of. the materials they tried and the results.· In order for reading to progress, we had to keep records and list the pages read each day.· Joe kept records of his stills photography and checked through the medical supplies.
· Most humans are not very good at keeping secrets.· I had stumbled on to what may be the worst-kept secret in Annapolis area dining.· William Right-so-can you all keep a secret?· You must keep this letter secret otherwise my life will be in danger.· The public key is used to decrypt information at the receiver and is not kept secret.· But 50-year-old Thaw has gone to extreme lengths to keep his location secret and has turned into a virtual recluse.· The Sphinx could keep his secret, we decided.
· She lies there in the dark, with her eyes open, keeping watch.· I told my friend Bridget it was up to us to keep watch.· Philpot, scheduled to run in the last heat of the day, kept checking her watch and jiggling her legs.· It is important, none the less, to keep a careful watch on progress.· I found a convenient spot to keep watch from, and turned the glass down upon the water.· It was his job to keep watch through the night, but boredom and tiredness had taken over.· Glover decided to keep watch for them anyway, so he could explain to the hired ones that the deal was off.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► keep something ↔ up► keep something ↔ up► keep something ↔ up► keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something)► how are you keeping?► keep your hair/shirt on!► somebody can keep something► keep at it► keep somebody at something► keep something ↔ back► keep something ↔ back► keep somebody ↔ back► keep something ↔ back► keep (somebody/something) from something► keep something from somebody► keep something ↔ off► keep (somebody) off something► keep off something► keep something ↔ off► keep somebody ↔ on► keep something to somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep several/too many etc balls in the air► have/keep your beady eye(s) on somebody/something► play/keep your cards close to your chest► keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something► have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)► keep the flag flying► get/have/keep your foot in the door► keep your hair on► keep/put something on ice► keep/stay etc a jump ahead (of somebody)► keep/have somebody on a leash► keep/stick to the message► keep your nose to the grindstone► keep your powder dry► keep something quiet/keep quiet about something► keep a tight rein on somebody/something► keep somebody sane► keep your shirt on► keep somebody sweet► keep a civil tongue in your head► keep on trucking► keep a watch out for somebody/something
- Can you keep a secret?
- Most humans are not very good at keeping secrets.
- Richie was in the know but the plan was kept a secret from Midge and Stevie.
- The private key, used to encrypt transmitted information by the user, is kept secret.
- The public key is used to decrypt information at the receiver and is not kept secret.
- The relationship was not kept secret from her supervisors.
- The state gave them to visiting businessmen whose names are being kept secret.
- What happened a few miles away was kept secret.
- Zhang was killed instantly, although his death was kept secret for a few days.
- His frustration he tried to keep to himself but it hovered about him until it shaded and finally swallowed him.
- I watched her drive out on to the highway, thinking many things which are better kept to myself.
- If they kept to themselves, the whole northern end of the area might as well be written off.
- Mandeville kept to himself, fretting about Southgate and when the additional soldiers would arrive.
- Of course, the Little Sprouts and the Plumpsters could have kept to themselves.
- She keeps to her room, keeps to herself.
- The sympathy she showed Karen; the relief she kept to herself.
- Whatever problems he had faced in their life together he had kept to himself.
- Arnold would keep us all up with his long, rambling stories.
- I'm often kept up by the noise of laughter and music from next door.
- Crusty Bill boasts he's on a spicy vegetarian diet to keep his strength up for love.
- During the war years, it helped keep our spirits up and we need it again now.
- He had a strong sense of humour, and kept his spirits up.
- I had to keep my strength up.
- I told Tansy that she must keep her spirits up, that Rose might be needing her.
- She ate a little to keep her strength up.
- A travel iron is useful for keeping up appearances on holiday.
- All my efforts were concentrated on keeping up appearances during those two hours of the day when I was with them.
- He still took care to be rude and truculent at school to keep up appearances, but the old venom had faded.
- Man on the move Everything a man need to keep up appearances while he's away from home.
- She just wanted to keep up appearances for the kids.
- Sometimes a mood, or a phase of the menstrual cycle, will bring about a definite aversion to keeping up appearances.
- They spend all they have to keep up appearances.
- We all have to keep up appearances while we wait for the tide to turn.
- A relaxed regime of visiting the lavatory after each main meal and at bedtime is established with the parents keeping a record.
- Each day we are to keep a diary.
- I must keep records that prove I do all this.
- One research team keeps a record of which computers are attached to the network at any time.
- Only one in five departments is believed to keep a record of abuse of adults or the elderly.
- There was a chart on the wall that gave some measure of this by keeping a record of math and spelling grades.
- Tish intends to do some drawing, but is too intent on keeping a diary.
- Keep going! You can break the record!
- At one point, Bessie Hall tried to give up, but Misner persuaded her to keep going.
- Even when the sun goes down, the world still has to keep going round.
- I was on the controls, and I decided to keep going.
- Maria kept going off on tangents.
- She had to keep going until they reached Ibiza.
- The circulation of Good Housekeeping keeps going up and up, which gives us all a great buzz.
- The family car, an old Rugby, was kept going with similar improvisation.
- We kept going, Kip chuckling every so often, me concentrating on the map.
- I wondered, as I sat on his bed, how long he could keep this going.
- It had been the hope which had kept her going through the dawn and early morning.
- Only those who keep a dialogue going will be able to put in a word for persons in need of intercession.
- Then I thought, why not keep this going?
- They just keep going and going, and fighting the company, and doing more and more things.
- Thinking of different pressed flower ideas for birthday presents should keep you going for a while!
- When going to the C section keep the snare going.
- I wondered, as I sat on his bed, how long he could keep this going.
- It had been the hope which had kept her going through the dawn and early morning.
- Only those who keep a dialogue going will be able to put in a word for persons in need of intercession.
- Rabbit wonders how many animals have died to keep his life going, how many more will die.
- Then I thought, why not keep this going?
- They just keep going and going, and fighting the company, and doing more and more things.
- Thinking of different pressed flower ideas for birthday presents should keep you going for a while!
- When going to the C section keep the snare going.
- At one point, Bessie Hall tried to give up, but Misner persuaded her to keep going.
- Even when the sun goes down, the world still has to keep going round.
- I was on the controls, and I decided to keep going.
- Maria kept going off on tangents.
- She had to keep going until they reached Ibiza.
- The circulation of Good Housekeeping keeps going up and up, which gives us all a great buzz.
- The family car, an old Rugby, was kept going with similar improvisation.
- We kept going, Kip chuckling every so often, me concentrating on the map.
- Her letters were the only things that kept me going while I was a prisoner.
- I wondered, as I sat on his bed, how long he could keep this going.
- It had been the hope which had kept her going through the dawn and early morning.
- Only those who keep a dialogue going will be able to put in a word for persons in need of intercession.
- Rabbit wonders how many animals have died to keep his life going, how many more will die.
- Then I thought, why not keep this going?
- They just keep going and going, and fighting the company, and doing more and more things.
- Thinking of different pressed flower ideas for birthday presents should keep you going for a while!
- When going to the C section keep the snare going.
- Lott kept us waiting for 40 minutes while he attended another meeting.
- She was annoyed because she had been kept waiting.
- Capshaw sent him out the back door to avoid whoever it was keeping guard in the front.
- He kept watching out the window of the rear door.
- He climbed to the top of the fence and looked around to see if there was some one keeping watch there as well.
- I told my friend Bridget it was up to us to keep watch.
- Its highly flexible neck enables it to keep watch over a wide area while it is both searching for and chasing prey.
- Mcduff came with him to sit in the shelves and they took it in turns to keep watch.
- Now do stuff that will make us want to keep watching.
- The trick was to keep watching.
- Cracked willow pattern contains the lobster, scraping its claws like some one crouched to keep wicket at Lord's.
- Keep quiet! I'm trying to hear what your brother has to say.
- I think they should have kept quiet over that.
- I wish I'd kept quiet about the money.
- Parotti had threatened to expose the illegal arrangements unless he was paid $50,000 to keep quiet.
- She'd been brutally murdered to keep her quiet.
- Some people disagree with what the government is doing, but they keep quiet for fear of reprisals.
- The minister denied that the case had been kept quiet or hidden.
- We'd better keep quiet about this for now.
- We can give you a 10% raise, but not the others -- so keep it quiet, won't you?
- We used to keep quiet about some of the things that went on in the prison.
- And if you wanted it kept quiet, again it would be entirely up to you.
- But the story is too big to be kept quiet.
- He heard his wife cursing Biddy inside the house, shouting for the animal to keep quiet.
- It was like they were trying to pay me off for keeping quiet, to bribe me to look the other way.
- Listening to them, I was taught to keep quiet.
- The disciples kept quiet telling nothing of what they had seen at that time to anyone.
- The people may disagree; but they keep quiet.
- Turning worried eyes on him, tempted to keep quiet, she sighed.
- "I don't have time to listen now." "Don't worry, it'll keep."
- And keep your hands off Maria.
- But today with his mind too preoccupied to work he seemed quite unable to keep his hands off it.
- Couldn't keep our hands off each other.
- I could not keep my hands off them.
- The government should keep its hands off content.
- They had been unable to keep their hands off each other.
- They should stay out where they belong - keep their hands off our people.
- Come straight to the point and keep to the point are the golden rules of letter writing.
- De Quincey was no master of keeping to the point.
- Nothing is more irritating than people who do not keep to the point and talk for too long.
- Branson knew who the killer was, but had kept it to himself for twenty years.
- Don't tell Sam -- he's incapable of keeping anything to himself.
- I've got cancer, but I would appreciate if you would keep this to yourself.
- After all, what right have they to keep it to themselves?
- But she kept them to herself.
- Never a woman to keep her thoughts to herself, she told him how comfortable she felt in his company.
- Share information - don't keep everything to yourself; there is no advantage to this. 5.
- She kept the pregnancy to herself - or rather kept it from herself, and from everyone else, for too long.
- She wouldn't say even then but I plagued her a bit till she couldn't keep it to herself any longer.
- So don't keep it all to yourself!
- We went out and tied bricks to him and put him down and we kept it to ourselves.
- Executives keep abreast of events in the company by e-mail.
- Dulles did more than make the customary recommendations that the policies of the colonial powers keep abreast of local political aspirations.
- In this way, hip Benetton stays abreast of the unpredictable storms of fashion.
- Many growers may feel overwhelmed as they struggle to keep abreast of potentially helpful developments.
- Once in their job, industrial production managers must stay abreast of new production technologies and management practices.
- One way to stay abreast of the legal fees is to ask for monthly billings.
- Representative staff will keep abreast of national developments by attending conferences and by visiting other schools piloting such courses.
- The trouble was that the purchasing power of the workers did not keep abreast of what they produced.
- Listening to the radio keeps me amused while I'm driving.
- For now, I can keep up appearances and still go to the same restaurants as my friends.
- Of course, he tries to keep up appearances, but he lives entirely off borrowed money.
- She put Christmas decorations in the window just to keep up appearances.
- A travel iron is useful for keeping up appearances on holiday.
- All my efforts were concentrated on keeping up appearances during those two hours of the day when I was with them.
- He still took care to be rude and truculent at school to keep up appearances, but the old venom had faded.
- Man on the move Everything a man need to keep up appearances while he's away from home.
- She just wanted to keep up appearances for the kids.
- Sometimes a mood, or a phase of the menstrual cycle, will bring about a definite aversion to keeping up appearances.
- They spend all they have to keep up appearances.
- We all have to keep up appearances while we wait for the tide to turn.
- Economic policies kept the Soviet Union and Japan at arm's length during the Cold War.
- Ali MacGraw set the ball rolling with Love Story.
- And laughter is infectious ... so a little bit of effort on the small screen could start the ball rolling.
- Does that make a difference, or did he and others just start the ball rolling?
- He will keep the ball rolling.
- Her words started the ball rolling.
- To start the ball rolling, the government was asked to contribute £1 million.
- Volume 2 deals with general idioms e.g. keep the ball rolling, the proof of the pudding.
- Wolves play a similar style, and at times one yearned for some one to set the ball rolling ... literally.
- Sandbags kept the floodwaters at bay.
- The government hopes to keep inflation at bay.
- All in all, the eatery is a breakfast bargain, with enough different components to keep boredom at bay.
- Another technique for keeping performance anxiety at bay is the group sing-along.
- Brown has kept the tumult at bay.
- Concentrating on Emma would help to keep her worries at bay for a little while.
- He was gritting his teeth against the pain, keeping it at bay while he studied the stump, the severed hand.
- My voice holds them at bay.
- She holds the adventurers at bay by holding the scroll over a candle flame and threatening to destroy it.
- Two green glazed lions guarded the gates to keep evil spirits at bay.
- Struggling peasants they'd be for the most part, trying to keep body and soul together in difficult times.
- The court heard that the general was unable to keep his troops in check.
- The disease is held in check by weekly injections of a power drug.
- A small bag of zeolite was used for three days, every two weeks to keep ammonia in check.
- But it was rookie Coach Ray Rhodes who gets the most credit for keeping the team in check.
- Churn makes it harder for charities to raise money, keeps real-estate prices in check and politics volatile.
- His own temper rose, but he held it in check.
- In one important area the Navy held its ambitions in check for bargaining reasons within the Whitehall market-place.
- Mulch plants each spring with straw to conserve moisture and keep weeds in check.
- What is new is that the controls which held this population in check no longer exist.
- Keep your chin up! We'll get through this together!
- Answer Steer clear of these subjects.
- Even if Ranieri had secured a change in the law, however, investors would have stayed clear of mortgage bonds.
- He had stayed clear of the subject of religion since Christmas.
- Pittman advises steering clear of any influence that puts our own happiness first.
- The Profitboss steers clear of such indulgence, for in the end everyone pays dearly for the privilege of the few.
- The starters have learned to steer clear of her.
- Unless your home is totally dilapidated, steer clear of a complete redecoration prior to selling: it will arouse suspicion.
- Even after Charles married Princess Diana he kept in close contact with Camilla.
- He had not kept in close touch with the performers who had danced in his first little group.
- I am keen to keep in close touch with you on this subject.
- I take that point and we are keeping in close contact with local authorities.
- I urge my hon. Friend to keep in close touch to make sure that response times are up to the charter.
- In practice, I keep in close touch with the work of the foundation.
- The Society is keeping in close touch with the appropriate authority and full information will be published as soon as possible.
- To monitor their responses we have kept in close touch with each family's health visitor.
- The waitress was really busy, but she kept her cool.
- He should go out and have a beer with you, not just keep his cool with the unit...
- Instead, Dukakis kept his cool and sealed his candidacy's doom.
- Kick the day into action with refreshing Celsius Body Splash Opposite, below: keep your cool even when working up a sweat.
- One of the best tips is to keep your cool.
- Oxford kept their cool though and came up with a winner 5 minutes from time.
- She'd fancied him for ages and when he asked her out she managed to keep her cool even though she felt faint.
- Weaver keeps his cool while all those around him are losing theirs.
- You've got to keep your cool, you've got to be strong in the head.
- Even with those she loves most, Ginny tends to keep her own counsel.
- Amelia Earhart solved the problem her grandmother presented by keeping her own counsel.
- However, he may simply have been keeping his own counsel when talking to me out of a proper loyalty and caution.
- I keep my own counsel now, and my children are baffled by the new me.
- McLaren keeps his own counsel, being as reticent as Ferguson is gregarious.
- She is precisely the person to keep her own counsel for three hours.
- So, obediently she kept her own counsel.
- They were inscrutable, they kept their own counsel, and they were intelligent.
- To the end, he kept his own counsel.
- Are you keeping count of how many people you've invited?
- After that he no longer bothered to keep count.
- He started taking apart the engineering of the scene, keeping count of the timing in his head.
- The Local kept count of the union dead.
- Men tend to keep their children at more of a distance than women.
- Police warned the public to keep their distance if they saw a man fitting this description.
- Shots were fired into the air to force the police to keep their distance.
- Stick to the paths, and make sure you keep your distance from nesting birds.
- At first we kept our distance.
- Burgess says such activities increase the danger that sharks will lose the respect for humans that mostly makes them keep their distance.
- I saw him later, standing at a meeting of walls, a shy girl keeping her distance.
- It is easy to see it now in the way labor has kept its distance from the plant-closing movement.
- Over the years I have kept my distance from the white women's movement.
- Ruth kept her distance from him but she could do nothing about the wretched aura that surrounded him.
- Sometimes Fate tiptoes discreetly at the margins of our lives, averting her eyes and keeping her distance.
- I haven't heard any more news, but I'll keep my ear to the ground.
- All of you - walk around Pentonville and keep your ears open.
- They had a kid copper keeping his ears open.
- As the illustration above shows, even if you just use the Family Rail Card once, it will earn its keep.
- It helped them keep their end up in battle, too, claim historians.
- It is difficult to get skips in this age group capable of keeping their end up at this level of competition.
- Richter kept his end up by arranging a press visit to Huemul Island on 21 June, 1951.
- Always keeping an eye out in case of thieves.
- And we had to keep an eye open for police patrols.
- For months, he kept an eye out.
- He will keep an eye out, but he can not promise anything.
- Male speaker All you got to do is keep an eye open and watch the break lights.
- Though he works hard with all the kids, he keeps an eye out for the special ones.
- Valueoriented consumers should keep an eye out for the name FabreMontmayou.
- But if you mean to stick around on the planet for a bit, you need to keep your eyes skinned.
- He had kept his eyes peeled.
- He pedalled along the canal bank quite slowly, keeping his eyes skinned for signs of defunct animal life.
- If you are interested, keep your eyes peeled for nomination lists to that effect.
- One final word on buying components, keep your eyes peeled for products that are about to be discontinued.
- She still kept her eyes skinned for people coming up the drive though.
- The village was in complete wilderness, our toilet a local bush - keeping our eyes peeled for lions!
- We keep our eyes peeled for Forest Service Road 670.
- But they can still learn a remarkable amount by keeping an eye on the east.
- He said Kaczynski would keep an eye on his property.
- I decided that I would keep an eye on Tom after that.
- Mark: No, but the doctor is keeping an eye on her.
- Meanwhile we shall keep an eye on him.
- The doctor thought it best if she checked into a small, private facility where he could keep an eye on her.
- Those with Internet access should keep an eye on a series of Usenet discussion groups that cater to Windows 95 issues.
- You keep an eye on her, and me or Nanny Ogg will drop in when we can.
- Even after his second wife left him in 1991, Thurmond has kept his eye in practice.
- It all helps to get your eye in and is far better than trying to rely on memory.
- As I told you, I have my eyes on a very different sort of market.
- He kept his eyes on Ezra, surveying him.
- He kept his eyes on his father, who had betrayed him.
- His face had grown serious, and he kept his eyes on the road.
- I kept my eyes on it the whole time, he wrote.
- It was not only Percy Makepeace who kept his eyes on Hilary.
- Mulcahey kept his eyes on the circles that widened out from the pebbles he dropped into the water.
- We have to keep our eyes on the sandy path.
- "I think I've lost that camera you lent me," I said, trying to keep a straight face.
- Barbara tried to keep a straight face, but in the end she just couldn't help laughing.
- He looked so ridiculous -- I don't know how I managed to keep a straight face.
- She looked so ridiculous it was hard to keep a straight face.
- When reading some of the competition entries, it was hard to keep a straight face.
- With a completely straight face, Thomas announced he was joining the Girl Guides.
- For the first hundred yards we keep straight faces.
- How can you say that and keep a straight face?
- I keep a straight face and the composure of a chemist dispensing a prescription.
- I try and keep a straight face, but I can't help grinning at myself.
- It was very difficult to keep a straight face.
- The old trick of keeping a straight face was failing him these days.
- The military regime has not kept faith with its promises of democratic reform.
- He had kept faith with the Old Man and brought them home.
- He was my husband, and I, wretch that I am, could not keep faith with him.
- Moxon's decision to drop Ashley Metcalfe and keep faith with Simon Kellett turned out to be fully justified.
- They were moderns, they must keep faith with their generation and not look back towards the old one.
- She's really creative, but she also has her feet firmly on the ground.
- So I guess inversely he taught me the need to be prepared and keep both feet on the ground.
- Our supervisor likes to keep everyone guessing.
- Although she has retired now, she keeps her hand in by giving her grandchildren music lessons.
- He still comes around the gym occasionally, just to keep his hand in.
- For all his pride, he misses the public forum politics provides and wants to keep his hand in somehow.
- He kept his hands in his pockets as they beat him.
- He kept his hands in his pockets so he would not smash Tony Angotti in the face.
- He liked to bow and ruin the effect by keeping his hands in his pockets.
- He moved slowly and cautiously, and kept his hands in clear view.
- Nevertheless, he continued with his finger covered in blood, keeping his hand in his pocket.
- The one-time gifted student kept his hands in his pockets as he listened to the brief proceedings.
- Rather than wear your heart on your sleeve, you keep it under your hat.
- But real life, of course, teaches lesser men to keep their heads down and their mouths shut.
- Carla kept her head down as she approached the front door, glancing up briefly when the two officers introduced them-selves.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He kept his head down under fire, avoided trouble, trusted in luck to keep him alive.
- I have pain in my left shoulder when I keep my head down or in moving my left arm a lot.
- I kept my head down and pretended to be consuming the scraps left on my dish.
- I kept my head down and the heavy bag well to the fore as a protective shield.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.
- They were looking for a coach who could stay enthusiastic and keep his head at the same time.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He keeps his head smooth with frequent shaving.
- He kept his head turned towards Mary, though, as between parted lips they licked the tips of each other's tongues.
- I have to keep my head up.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Luckily, I am a good swimmer, so I managed to keep my head out of the milk.
- Suddenly she began to walk faster to the car, keeping her head turned away from the direction of them.
- Although I've been out of a job for three months, I've managed to keep my head above water.
- I'm just a pensioner, trying to keep my head above water.
- I work full time, but we're still just keeping our heads above water.
- If I get this raise, we'll just about keep our heads above water until next year.
- Schools throughout the county are struggling to keep their heads above water.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Coun Bergg, we are happy to report, is alive and well and keeping his head above water.
- In reality, Diana was struggling to keep her head above water, let alone undertake a radical management restructuring programme.
- It became increasingly difficult to keep his head above water.
- Pensioners already fighting to keep their heads above water are being asked to pay extra council tax to fund the refugee crisis.
- The wind and waves pushed me along as I struggled to keep my head above water.
- We all do, really, and we're keeping our heads above water most beautifully.
- Owen's wife, Lauren, keeps house and looks after the children.
- For many years thereafter he stayed at home and kept house while she supported them financially.
- It must have seemed strange to have found herself keeping house for my grandfather and his daughters.
- It was hard work keeping house.
- Low inflation that keeps house prices from appreciating and high interest rates were blamed.
- She couldn't bear things like Anna refusing to keep house or giving any pleasure to herself.
- She enjoyed doing things like that far more than keeping house.
- There had been no mention of Alice going out there to keep house for him.
- Where keeping house and cooking were not female chores but simple tasks of pleasure and survival.
- During the strike, the media kept the public fully informed about the situation.
- I want to know what you decide, so keep me informed.
- Parents have complained that we are not keeping them very well informed of their children's progress.
- Please keep me fully informed of any new developments.
- The doctor should be kept informed about any changes in your child's condition.
- We'll be keeping you informed of any new developments.
- A flurry of fists and boots followed as local referee Ignacio Silva struggled to keep the lid on.
- Additionally, falling prices for key commodities, like copper, are keeping a lid on most manufacturing costs.
- All this will combine to keep the lid on prices.
- He apparently hoped this would keep the lid on the operation.
- In the meantime, Father Glynn hoped that Jim Maier could keep a lid on the place.
- Support the possibility of keeping a lid on tax increases.
- Unlike Anthony, Geoffrey could keep a lid on his temper.
- Up with the lark and wanting to get out of town, I have to keep the lid on my impatience.
- Soldiers kept a lookout for enemy planes through the night.
- And send a couple of your boys up here to keep a lookout.
- From his present position, Larsen would be better placed to keep a lookout for trouble and provide backup.
- Then, with a watchful eye, it can keep a lookout for potential prey without revealing its presence.
- Many of the exiles have married, taken jobs, and generally kept a low profile.
- She's keeping a low profile until the scandal is forgotten.
- Western visitors to the region are asked to keep a low profile.
- Apple kept a low profile for the first few days of the conference, making no major announcements or product introductions.
- But since then they have kept a low profile and not made their findings public.
- During the event Clinton will keep a low profile.
- I decided to keep a low profile, after all I was a guest.
- Kendall keeps a low profile, refusing to grant on-the-record interviews with the news media.
- Like every really smart lobbyist, Boggs knows the importance of being subtle and of keeping a low profile.
- There was nothing she could do about it, other than keep a low profile and stay well out of his way.
- With police apparently keeping a low profile, the violence intensified during the night.
- At other times, the surroundings helped to take my mind off it.
- I guess there is nothing that will get your mind off every-thing like golf will.
- Instead they tried to take their minds off the poster campaign by providing weekend entertainment.
- It takes your mind off how you feel.
- Kirsty chattered excitedly throughout the journey, helping to keep Shiona's mind off her anxieties.
- Letters could take my mind off most things.
- To take his mind off his worries, I suggested that he wrote out a message for his family.
- When the other guy thinks you are cheating, it can take his mind off the game.
- With all the talk of job losses, I was having trouble keeping my mind on my work.
- All good nurses were trained to keep their minds on their jobs, but even good nurses were human.
- But I can not keep my mind on the movie, which now seems false and cloying.
- He was numbed by the thought of this imaginary food and could hardly keep his mind on what the Padre was saying.
- Let's keep our mind on the job at hand.
- On Friday, the day of the fair, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.
- Primo has been trying to keep his mind on what they are doing in this moment.
- You are going to be hard pushed to keep your mind on whatever you're doing Tuesday.
- Bobcat. Keep that in mind.
- But they keep Soviet might in mind, however remote the threat now seems.
- If he had ... no conclusions yet, just bear it in mind.
- It is important to bear this in mind in any study of the role of school governors in meeting special educational needs.
- It is important to keep your audience in mind when writing a report.
- They might bear that in mind.
- To keep it in mind, at all costs.
- We've got to bear it in mind.
- He just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.
- You'd better keep your mouth shut about this.
- After the incident Ninham, of Hilda Street, gave both boys £5 and told them to keep their mouths shut.
- For one, a mistress who kept her mouth shut.
- I don't believe she could keep her mouth shut.
- If I would only keep my mouth shut more often, I thought, I would fit in better everywhere.
- In the end, I kept my mouth shut.
- It would be best to keep our mouths shut and let justice take its course.
- This is all from Gran so keep your mouth shut.
- You want to be off the record, keep your mouth shut.
- Far right: Septimus keeps Mum and Dad awake.
- In politics, as in life, truth hurts.Better to keep mum.
- So, darling, keep mum about where we are.
- That obviously includes me, so your mum's got to keep mum, chick.
- The grinning skull on the back of the mystery woman's jacket is keeping mum.
- He's been sentenced to seven years in prison, but he'll be out in four if he keeps his nose clean.
- It's not a great job, but if you keep your nose clean, you should be promoted by the end of the year.
- But journalists are supposed to keep their noses clean, or at least tell us when they don't.
- But keep his nose clean and take their money, and he could have a marvellous life in Berlin.
- Keep your nose out of my business!
- You keep your nose out, you hear me?
- A strike has been going on at the mine for over three months and the nine who died were all non-union men.
- But what's going on at No. 4 and No. 8 are free rides, nothing less.
- Funny stuff going on at the Olympics.
- He had a bad leg and they kept on at him to hurry up.
- I must say I was not totally happy about her going on at Yeo Davis, with me in the government.
- Something must be going on at school.
- There was some spitting going on at the end of the game.
- You used to go on at me about getting out.
- And they don't go on about his obvious flaws, like him being a doctor and having three dozen girlfriends.
- Everyone goes on about Cher's dresses, showing her navel.
- However, this is the party that goes on about unemployment as though it had a good record on unemployment.
- It sounded stupid the way she went on about loving the sea.
- It went on about 15 minutes too long.
- The first I knew about it was Malcolm going on about rubber.
- This made him wary as he went on about his chores and tried not to let Lucky see him.
- Why do I go on about this, I wonder.
- All of you - walk around Pentonville and keep your ears open.
- By then keeping her eyes open was less of an effort.
- Go back to bed only when you can no longer keep your eyes Open.
- Remembering his duty, he strode briskly up the stairs, keeping his eyes open for any suspicious signs.
- Swing the boat south, keep her eyes open.
- The basic rules of self-defence are quite simple: keep your eyes open and you can usually avoid trouble.
- The daily firings produced by the withering economy offered loopholes of opportunity for a young man who kept his eyes open.
- You know how to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.
- At the end of the season, I will keep my options open.
- Either way, you can keep your options open.
- Flexibility is key, keeping your options open.
- Many young people want to keep their options open.
- Some companies are keeping their options open on retaining or dumping anachronistic names.
- We must expect to be surprised in the future, and we must keep our options open.
- You need to keep your options open in order to change courses at a moment's notice.
- An aide said the money is needed to keep pace with the cost of issuing licenses.
- But his lack of experience and robotic speaking style made it difficult for him to keep pace with Dole.
- But they still haven't kept pace with the population even though it is slowing down now.
- Her words were written down by recorders, whom she sometimes exhorted to write faster to keep pace with her.
- However, the implementation of existing directives into national law is not keeping pace with the 1992 programme.
- Interest rates paid on checking and passbook savings accounts failed to keep pace with inflation.
- Pensions and benefits had not risen to keep pace with the rate of inflation, especially in the 1970s.
- Purse money, however, has not kept pace.
- In the past, air support from the RAF base at Aden had been enough to keep the peace between the rival warring tribes.
- The President sent federal troops to Grenada to keep the peace.
- The U.S. is sending troops overseas again - this time to keep the peace.
- But for the sake of keeping the peace, it would probably be wise to use his new name.
- Callaghan not unreasonably claimed in his memoirs that the Tories won the Falklands War but that Labour had kept the peace.
- He was bound over to keep the peace by magistrates.
- In the past, this had sufficed to keep the peace between the rival warring tribes.
- On Vadinamia secrets are kept, and visitors are left strictly alone as long as they keep the peace.
- Some conditions, nevertheless, did contribute toward keeping the peace.
- The elder child may be made to give way to the demands of the younger one in order to keep the peace.
- The judges extrapolated it from the fact that constables hold office under the Crown and are sworn to keep the peace.
- And since the credit accrued to him, he held his peace.
- But Kate knew when enough was enough so she kept her peace.
- But she held her peace and waited for the miracle.
- Colonel Fergusson nodded indulgently at such pertness and obstinacy, but held his peace.
- Gorbachev, like any husband in his circumstances, kept his peace.
- No, better to hold her peace and pretend.
- So I decide to hold my peace for a little while longer.
- Why did he want to hold his peace?
- It's going to boil down to keeping your pecker up, looking on the best side of things.
- Besides, I wanted to put you in the picture.
- Call it: putting you in the picture.
- He put Maclean in the picture about his letter to Wilson.
- Perhaps he did not like to argue with Jean-Claude, suspecting that my lover may have been put fully in the picture.
- Then she remembered that she had promised to keep Sybil in the picture but decided that could wait as well.
- Keep me posted - I'd like to know of any changes.
- We don't have any plans yet, but I'll keep you posted.
- Apple kept a low profile for the first few days of the conference, making no major announcements or product introductions.
- But since then they have kept a low profile and not made their findings public.
- During the event Clinton will keep a low profile.
- I decided to keep a low profile, after all I was a guest.
- Kendall keeps a low profile, refusing to grant on-the-record interviews with the news media.
- Like every really smart lobbyist, Boggs knows the importance of being subtle and of keeping a low profile.
- There was nothing she could do about it, other than keep a low profile and stay well out of his way.
- With police apparently keeping a low profile, the violence intensified during the night.
- My confidence was so low it was difficult to keep things in proportion -- the smallest problem seemed like a major tragedy.
- The Party's recent successes in the polls are encouraging but they need to be kept in proportion.
- In fact it was Jack's sense of humour that kept her feelings in proportion during the next few days.
- In our celebrity-obsessed society, it is nice to see some one keeping things in proportion.
- Work was carried on around the lump in a fairly ordered pattern helping to keep everything in proportion.
- Give the kids some crayons, that will keep them quiet for a while.
- I can keep it real simple.
- A successful maintenance routine should be regular but not too often.
- Note that if you go for the unfiltered system, water changes must be regular.
- People who keep regular diaries find that the records become a source of motivation.
- There should be regular surveys of the long-term expenditure implications of current and proposed policies.
- These might be regular if there is not overtaking but random if there is unlimited overtaking, quite different patterns.
- They should be regular, with easily visible treads.
- To be effective, exercise must be regular and brisk.
- Whatever method is adopted, there should be regular reference to time-charts or time-lines.
- By healing the man is he keeping the Sabbath Holy or profaning it?
- One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath Holy.
- So the idea of keeping the Sabbath day holy was born.
- The people of Lewis keep the Sabbath and their honour.
- Security guards kept a sharp eye on Mattson as he walked through the store.
- As a teen-ager, I kept a sharp eye on who was winning the prizes I wanted: Honor Roll.
- I keep a sharp eye on him.
- But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
- They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
- It was a constant struggle to stay one step ahead of thrift regulators in Washington.
- Money With better management of resources you will be able to stay one step ahead.
- The reason Chappy is moving around so much is to keep one step ahead I suppose.
- We don't want to sell him but we have to keep one step ahead.
- He keeps tabs on everyone in the building.
- A psychologist will keep tabs on teams of youngsters and will stop the operation if they show signs of stress.
- About the world Lenny Wilkens has been keeping tabs on world events, and one thing is clear.
- Although so little was heard from them, those who kept tabs on them were convinced that they were slowly fading away.
- Anne Dickson, a local politician, said people had been keeping tabs on Hamilton for years.
- But trappers will keep tabs on the extra traps until February, officials said.
- If she asked, he would accuse her of nagging, of wanting to keep tabs on him.
- They patrol land and keep tabs on the gangs after tip offs from gamekeepers and farmers.
- We try to keep close tabs on our boys in blue.
- I knew they were trying to annoy me but I was determined to keep my temper.
- It took all her patience just to keep her temper.
- Police officers are expected to keep their tempers whatever people say to them.
- All you have to do is get up close, keep your temper, and shoot straight.
- For one, Chilcott had kept his temper, hoping to coax his niece round to his point of view.
- He kept his temper and signalled the other galley to turn to the shore at Drimnin, to do the repairs.
- How will I keep my temper?
- I should have kept my temper, she thought frantically.
- Susan told herself to keep her temper.
- We kept our tempers, as if patience wasn't something we maintained at the expense of our fading energies.
- When Felipe was grown up my father was wary and kept his temper.
- Motoring: Can R-R keep up with the times?
- The pub has made no attempt to keep up with the times ... no karaoke here ... just conversation.
- At one stage, he joined her, pacing with her, beating time with one hand.
- In employment systems, after all, people are not mustered to play together as their manager beats time.
- It is not true that elsewhere they obey it without beating it, since one beats time wherever choruses are sung.
- It starts lean and mean, just a slash of overdriven guitar with tambourine keeping time.
- The lord began to tap his foot and beat time with his hand against his thigh.
- They are likened by Leibniz to a series of clocks that manage to keep time without being connected.
- They were often unable to keep time to within fifteen minutes a day and were frequently out of order.
- Tidy time keep time on your side and all your bills in order with this hand clip clock.
- But like a single gear in a mechanical clock, timeless can not keep good time all by itself.
- Nothing unusual - clocks behaving as before, keeping good time and continuing to emit their light beams.
- Running in a clump through a crowded station, like the Bash Street Kids, keeping perfect time with chant and clap.
- With a test every Friday, she keeps her students on their toes.
- And, keeping them on their toes ... the doctors who walk eighteen miles a day.
- He keeps them on their toes.
- Inflation, which depletes the value of stocks and bonds, also keeps investors on their toes.
- Meetings are held every nineteen days, not necessarily Sundays, which must keep people on their toes.
- The general use of disapproval in order to keep people on their toes tends to be counterproductive after a time.
- Together, these threats are supposed to discipline managers and keep them on their toes.
- We have improved because a few extra players have come in and the bench is outstanding which keeps everyone on their toes.
- You have to have good people doing these jobs, and you have to keep folks on their toes.
- But Letitia stayed in touch, and together, sadly as it turned out, they had found family member Number Three.
- EASY-TO-USE Paging is a simple but fast way to keep in touch.
- I want you to stay in touch.
- Lots of traveling dads and moms are now using e-mail to stay in touch.
- One friend, a lawyer, swears by e-mail because it helps her keep in touch with far-flung friends.
- The idea was to hang together, keep in touch with the audience and maybe make a few bucks.
- They had been classmates as undergraduates at City College of New York and had always stayed in touch.
- We may have to be in touch again.
- I followed the map, keeping track of our position so I could radio in our coordinates if we went down.
- Nitrogen use will be more problematic, but precision farming will enable farmers to keep track of field nutrient balances.
- Nobody could keep track of all the winners.
- North wanted to have Waite wired to keep track of his movements electronically, but Waite, very sensibly, refused.
- She'd lost track of it while she was dealing with Anna.
- She keeps track of magazine subscription renewals on a 10-by-12-inch card.
- Write down the names of people you meet, and then keep track of them.
- Tell him to keep his trap shut and let me ask the questions.
- Both, for different reasons, kept weather eyes on the cloning work.
- They dabble in composites, and keep a weather eye on the developments made by the small specialists.
- This lets you keep a weather eye on your finances.
- But it was worth it to keep the wolves from the door.
- No sign of any more money than is needed to keep the wolf from the door.
- Ford's new range of cars is being kept firmly under wraps until the Geneva auto show.
- It's been suggested the report was kept under wraps to avoid controversy.
- But in the interests of security we are keeping the information under wraps.
- But Micky's very careful to keep it under wraps.
- But officials deny they've been keeping their proposals under wraps.
- Now his biggest concern is keeping his excitement under wraps.
- The Left would like a civilian, but if there is a candidate it is keeping him under wraps.
- The plans are still being kept tightly under wraps, partly through the fear that Mowden might try to scupper them.
- There is some multimedia hardware on-board that the company is trying to keep pretty much under wraps.
- Which is why, if you've got a bad temper, you probably do your utmost to keep it under wraps.
WORD FAMILYnounkeepkeeperkeepingadjectivekeptverbkeep
1not change [linking verb, transitive] to stay in a particular state, condition, or position, or to make someone or something do thiskeep (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 forever. 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.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.2continue doing something [intransitive] (also keep on) to continue doing something or to do the same thing many timeskeep (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.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.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS3not 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.4not 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.5store 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.6make 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.7delay somebody [transitive] to delay someone: He should be here by now. What’s keeping him?8do what you promised [transitive] to do what you have promised or agreed to dokeep your word/promise How do I know you’ll keep your word? patients who fail to keep their appointments9keep a secret to not tell anyone about a secret that you know: Can I trust you to keep a secret?10keep something quiet/keep quiet (about something) to not say anything in order to avoid telling a secret or causing problems11keep a record/account/diary etc to regularly record written information somewhere12keep 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.13food [intransitive] if food keeps, it stays fresh enough to be eaten: Eat the salmon because it won’t keep till tomorrow.14animals [transitive] to own and look after animals: We keep chickens and a couple of pigs.15stop 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?16keep somebody waiting to make someone wait before you meet them or see them: Sorry to keep you waiting – I got stuck in a meeting.17keep guard/watch to guard a place or watch around you all the time18shop [transitive] British English old-fashioned to own a small business and work in it19provide 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!20protect [transitive] formal to guard or protect someone: The Lord bless you and keep you. His only thought was to keep the child from harm.21keep goal/wicket to be the player in a team whose job is to protect the goal or wicket → goalkeeper, wicket keeperSPOKEN PHRASES22 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 etc25somebody 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.’THESAURUS– Meaning 5keep 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 verb1keep 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!2keep somebody at something to force someone to continue to work hard and not let them stopkeep back phrasal verb1 keep something ↔ back to deliberately not tell someone all that you know about something: I got the feeling he was keeping something back.2keep something ↔ back to not show your feelings, even though you want to very much: She was struggling to keep back the tears.3keep 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.4keep 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 verb1to prevent the size, cost, or quantity of something from increasing or being too great: We need to keep costs down.2to 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.3used 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.4to 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 verb1keep (somebody/something) from something to prevent someone from doing something or prevent something from happeningkeep 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.2keep 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 verb1to 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 schoolkeep 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 verb1keep 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?2keep your hands off somebody/something used to tell someone not to touch someone or something: Keep your hands off me!3keep (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 drugs4keep off something especially British English to avoid talking about a particular subject, especially so that you do not upset someone SYN avoid, stay off5keep something ↔ off if you keep weight off, you do not get heavier again after you have lost weight6 British English if rain keeps off, it does not fallkeep on phrasal verb1to continue doing something, or to do something many timeskeep on doing something You just have to keep on trying.2keep 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.3British English informal to talk continuously about something or repeat something many times, in a way that is annoying SYN go onkeep 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 verb1to stay on a particular road, course, piece of ground etc: It’s best to keep to the paths.2to do what has been decided in an agreement or plan, or what is demanded by law: Keep to the speed limits.3keep to the point/subject etc to talk or write only about the subject you are supposed to be talking about4keep something to something to prevent an amount, degree, or level from becoming higher than it should: Costs must be kept to a minimum.5keep something to yourself to not tell anyone about something: I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.6keep to yourself (also keep yourself to yourself British English) to live a very quiet private life and not do many things that involve other peoplekeep up phrasal verb1keep 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)2if a situation keeps up, it continues without stopping or changing SYN continue: How long can the economic boom keep up?3to go as quickly as someone elsekeep up with I had to walk fast to keep up with him.4to manage to do as much or as well as other people OPP fall behindkeep 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)5to continue to read and learn about a particular subject, so that you always know about the most recent facts, products etckeep up with Employees need to keep up with the latest technical developments.6keep 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.7if one process keeps up with another, it increases at the same speed and by the same amountkeep up with Food production is not keeping up with population growth.8keep 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.9keep somebody up informal to prevent someone from going to bed: I hope I’m not keeping you up.10keep 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.11keep up appearances to pretend that everything in your life is normal and happy even though you are in trouble, especially financial troublekeep up with somebody phrasal verb to write to, telephone, or meet a friend regularly, so that you do not forget each otherkeep1 verbkeep2 noun
keepkeep2 noun EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- How else could he have got them out of the keep?
Longman Language Activatorto keep something and not sell it or give or throw it away
· My mother kept all the letters my father ever wrote her.· I've decided to keep my car even though it's getting old.· I keep all my tickets and boarding passes as souvenirs.· Why do you want to keep all these old magazines?
to keep something that you could throw away, because you might want to use it in the future: · When mom died we found a box full of old newspaper clippings she had saved.· Don't throw the wrapping paper away - I'm going to save it and use it again.
informal to keep something, especially because you might need it or it might become valuable at a later time: · Hold on to your ticket - you'll need it to get out of the station.· You should hang on to that painting. It might be worth something one day.· There's no point in hanging on to the baby clothes if you're not going to have more kids.
if someone will not part with something, they refuse to sell it or give it to anyone else because they like it so much: · We offered her $200 for the lamp, but she didn't want to part with it.· Over the years he'd become very attached to his old car and wouldn't part with it for the world.
formal to keep something, and not sell it, give it away, or get rid of it: · It is suggested that you retain copies of the documents for at least three years.· The treaty would not allow any country to produce, acquire, or retain chemical weapons.
to keep something so that someone else can use it later to not sell or give something to anyone else, so that someone can have it or use it later: · Let's save some of this pizza for Jill.· I haven't got enough money with me right now. Can you keep the vase for me while I go to the bank?· If you get any foreign stamps, could you save them for me? My nephew collects them.
British informal to keep something for someone until they are able to collect it, pay for it etc: · If I pay you for the chairs now, could you put them by and I'll collect them tomorrow?
if a shop or a company holds something for someone, they keep it until the person can come to buy or get it: · Your tickets will be held at the box office until one hour before the performance.· I got the post office to hold our mail while we were away.
to keep something separate and not use it because someone is going to buy it or use it later: · One of the rooms was set aside for a yoga class.· They didn't have the dress I wanted but said they would put one aside for me when they had a delivery.
to let someone keep their job to continue to employ someone after they have been working in the same job for a period of time, especially because they have proved that they are good at it: keep somebody on: · We cannot guarantee that we will be able to keep you on at the end of your contract.keep on somebody: · It seems a lot of these companies want to get rid of the old ones and keep on the young ones.
formal to continue to employ someone, especially when you are getting rid of other people: · Only four members of the original marketing team will be retained next year.
to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc · She's almost 60, but she has kept her good looks.· These cars are a good investment. They keep their value for many years.· I don't know how he managed to keep his sense of humour with all he's been through.
to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc in spite of difficulties: · She held on to her dreams of stardom throughout her unsuccessful career.· I tried desperately to hang on to my sanity as events became more and more confused.· It's hard to hang on to your dignity when everyone treats you as if you're old and senile.
formal to keep the same character, feelings, qualities etc in spite of other changes: · The new design will be more modern, while retaining the graceful shape of the original.· It's important that you retain a sense of proportion when you're feeling depressed.
to keep something in a particular place · Where do you keep the scissors?keep something in/on/under etc something · We always keep the car in the garage.· My grandfather kept his teeth in a glass next to his bed.· Visitors are advised to keep their valuables with them at all times.
to keep something for a long period of time so that it is ready for you to use when you need it: · Store the medicine in a cool place.· The warehouse is being used to store food and clothes for the refugees.· The government plans to store the nuclear waste at a site in Nevada.
to store something, especially a large object or a large quantity of something, until the time when you are able to use it: · All our furniture is being kept in storage until we can find a new apartment.· The meat is kept in cold storage before being sent out to supermarkets.
to store something such as food for a long time, especially after treating it in a special way so that it does not decay: · Early settlers preserved meat by drying and salting it.· Human organs, preserved in jars, lined the shelves of the laboratory.
to collect and keep a large quantity of something secretly, because you think it might be useful at some time in the future - use this when you think the person who does this worries too much about keeping things for the future: · My grandmother hoards everything - jam jars, plastic bags, pieces of string - her house is a mess.· They've been hoarding food and water, convinced that some kind of catastrophe is coming.
to keep information to keep a lot of different pieces of information together in one place, so that you can find them when you need them: · The police keep detailed information about everyone who has committed a crime.· Records of all births and deaths are kept in the county offices.
to keep large quantities of information, especially in a computer: · Huge amounts of information can be stored on a single CD-ROM.· The cards can be stored alphabetically.· Data regarding employees' salaries are stored on the computer at the main office.
to keep information in a computer or written down so that you can use it at a later time: · We have no job openings at the moment but we will keep your details on file.· Employees' records are kept on file for one year after they have left the company.
to keep information in written form and in a special order, so that it is easy to find when you need it: · Barb, could you file these papers for me?· All the students' records are filed alphabetically.file something away: · Once a complaint is received it is usually filed away and forgotten.
to keep information on a particular subject, especially so that you can see how it changes or develops: keep a record/keep records of: · You should keep written records of all business expenses.· The scientists are keeping a record of radioactive levels in the area.keep a record/keep records on: · Schools keep records on all their students.
things of the same type that you store a large quantity of something that you keep, and that you replace regularly because you use it often: · Food supplies in the camp were already running out.supply of: · The hospital keeps a large supply of blood for use in emergencies.· First prize was a year's supply of baby food.
the amount of a particular product that a shop keeps to be sold: · Buy now while stocks last!stock of: · Someone came in half an hour ago and bought up our entire stock of Italian wine.· The new video store has a huge stock of movies to rent.
something such as money, food, or water that you keep because you might need it in the future: · The country has foreign currency reserves of $83 billion.reserve of: · We had to rely on our emergency reserve of food while we were snowed in.keep/hold something in reserve: · They sold half the wood and kept the rest in reserve for winter.
things, especially illegal drugs or weapons, that are kept hidden because they are illegal or secret: · The drug cache that the men were found in possession of was worth roughly $1 million.cache of: · Police have found a cache of automatic weapons in a house in the city centre.
a large number of things of the same type that someone keeps secretly, so that they can use them if they need them - use this when you think the person who keeps these things worries too much about keeping things for the future: hoard of: · I kept my own secret hoard of chocolate cookies in a big tin under the sink.
to make someone stay in a place to make someone stay in a place: · They kept us there for over an hour while they checked our passports.· Don't let me keep you if you have other things to do.· I'd hate to have a job that kept me in the office all the time.keep somebody in (=make a child stay at school as a punishment) British: · The teacher kept us in after school because she said we'd been causing trouble.keep somebody after school (=make a child stay at school as a punishment) American: · I was always getting kept after school for something when I was a kid.keep somebody in (=make someone stay in a hospital) British: · They say they're going to keep her in overnight for observation, then do some tests on her tomorrow.
to keep someone in a place as a prisoner to make someone stay in a place and not let them leave, especially as a prisoner: · You can't keep me here against my will - get out of my way.keep somebody in/at etc something: · The guerrillas were keeping the hostages in a camp somewhere in the jungle.· Prisoners were kept in cells with no beds and no running water.
to keep someone somewhere, especially for a short period of time, before deciding what to do with them: · Police are holding two men for questioning in connection with the robbery.· No one knows where the kidnapped woman is being held.hold somebody in/at etc something: · The prisoners were held at Andersonville until more suitable places were found.
to illegally keep someone in a place where they do not want to be, especially as a way of forcing someone to give you money or do what you want: · Police raided the building where rebels were holding 73 government employees captive.hold sb prisoner/captive/hostage in/at etc something: · Four other US citizens are being held hostage by guerrillas in Colombia.· The woman had been held prisoner in Larkin's basement for 3 months.
informal to put someone in a place, especially a prison, and lock it so that they cannot escape: lock somebody up/away: · Didn't they lock his brother away for murder?lock up/away somebody: · The governor argues that locking up criminals has reduced the crime rate.· Prisoners are locked up in their cells for twenty three hours a day.
to keep someone in a room or small place, so that they cannot go where they want to: confine somebody in something: · The boy had been confined in a dark narrow room from early childhood by his parents.confine somebody to something: · The judge is confining the jury to their hotel until after the verdict.
if the police detain someone who they think has done something illegal, they keep them somewhere, usually in order to ask them questions: · Three men from the ship have been detained for questioning by the Harbour Authorities.· The police are now allowed to detain terrorist suspects for as long as a week.
if the police hold or keep someone in custody they keep them in prison until it is time for them to be judged in a court: · McCullough will be kept in custody until her trial on May 3rd.hold/keep somebody in police custody (=in a police station): · A man has been arrested in connection with the murder and is being held in police custody.
someone who is forced to stay in a place someone who is kept in a place, especially a prison, as punishment for a crime: · The state now has 152,000 prisoners in 32 prisons.prisoner of war (=someone who is kept prisoner by the enemy during a war): · Her father spent three years as a prisoner of war in Korea.political prisoner (=someone who is in prison because of their political beliefs): · There have been reports of the systematic torture of political prisoners.take somebody prisoner (=make someone your prisoner): · All the soldiers were either killed or taken prisoner.
someone who is kept in a place illegally: · All the captives were kept in a darkened room with their hands tied.· The rebels promise to release their captives unharmed if their demands are met.take somebody captive (=make someone your captive): · Armed gunmen broke into the church and took the priest captive.
someone who is illegally kept in a place by someone who threatens to harm or kill them as a way of making someone else pay money or do what they want: · The group has threatened to kill the hostages unless the government frees 15 political prisoners.· An attempt to rescue the American hostages ended in disaster.take somebody hostage (=make someone your hostage): · The medical team were captured and taken hostage.
when you are forced to stay somewhere if someone who the police think is guilty of a crime is in custody , they are kept in prison until it is time for them to be judged in a court: · Parry was in custody for a month before being released.be in police custody (=in a police station): · The activist died under suspicious circumstances while he was in police custody.be remanded in custody (=be sent back to prison from a court until your trial): · Three men and a woman have been remanded in custody on fraud charges.
if someone is under arrest , the police are keeping them guarded because they think they are guilty of a crime: · He's under arrest and may only be seen by his lawyer.be under house arrest (=not be allowed to leave your home): · The opposition leader has been under house arrest for the past few months.
when someone is being forced to stay in a place where they do not want to be - use this when this situation is illegal or wrong: · In his autobiography, Mandela describes his life during captivity.in captivity: · The hostages are now entering their fourth week in captivity.
when someone is being kept as a prisoner, especially as a punishment for a crime: · Johnson was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for causing a riot.· The offence is punishable by either a fine or imprisonment.life imprisonment (=for the rest of someone's life): · Garrison faces life imprisonment for his role in the killings.
when someone is being kept somewhere by the police, usually because they think that person has done something illegal and they want to ask them questions: · By the 1920s the average period of detention for new immigrants lasted two weeks.· A dissident, recently released from detention, gave a press conference in the capital today.in detention: · About a dozen people remain in detention without trial.take somebody into detention: · They were taken into detention two weeks ago and still are not allowed visitors.detention center (=a place where someone is kept by the police): · There was another riot at the men's detention center yesterday.juvenile detention (=a place that is like a prison for young people) American: · He was in and out of juvenile detention for drugs charges as a teenager.
when someone is being kept in a room, prison etc: · He was sentenced to 5 months of home confinement for the crime.solitary confinement (=the state of being kept completely alone): · Prisoners are punished by being put in solitary confinement.
when something will always happen or always continue · I'll always remember the day we first met.· She said she would always love him.
if something lasts or continues forever , it remains or continues for all future time: · I'd like to stay here forever.· The memory of that awful day is forever etched in my mind.
a word meaning forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your life - use this especially to talk about changes that you expect to last forever: · The accident has left Hanson permanently disabled.· Thirteen students were permanently expelled from the school.
for all future time - used especially by children or in children's stories when someone feels extremely happy: · It was a beautiful day, and Ellie wanted it to go on for ever and ever.
if someone leaves, comes back etc for good , they leave or come back permanently: · The injury may keep him out of football for good.· I'd like to stay in Colorado for good.
spoken informal if you have something for keeps , you have it forever: · He's given it to me for keeps.
formal forever, used especially when saying that something will last or be remembered forever because it is very good, special etc: · The actions of those who died in the Great War will be remembered for all time.
for the rest of your life: · There's no such thing as a job for life any more.scarred/maimed/crippled/blind etc for life: · The abuse left him scarred for life.
for the rest of your life - used especially in stories, plays etc: · You will regret this until your dying day.· I will remember your kindness to my dying day.
to earn enough money to pay for the things that you need to earn enough money to pay for the things that you or your family need: earn/make a living by doing something: · As an engineer, you can earn a living anywhere in the world.· It's difficult to make a living as a writer.· Nordstrom earned his living by teaching violin.earn a good/decent living (=earn more than enough): · A programmer earns a pretty decent living.
to pay for the things that you or your family need out of the money that you earn, especially when you are the only person in the family who is earning money: · After his father died, Peter had to quit school and support the family.· Hank supported himself for years by doing construction work.· I have no idea how he's supporting himself.
to earn enough money to pay for your food and other needs, especially when someone has been supporting you until now: · It's time you got a job and started earning your keep.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The Treasury borrowed £40 billion, just to stay afloat. Somehow we kept the ship afloat. Getting ahead at work is the most important thing to her at the moment. He was kept alive on a life-support machine. She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class. The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew. The police try to keep rival supporters apart at all matches. There were lots of activities to keep the kids busy. I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. We must all stay close. The money kept him in clover for years. Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential. Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control. The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control. his ability to keep cool in a crisis College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’s going to be OK. I swim twice a week to try and keep fit. Seb struggled to keep his footing on the slippery path. Simmons says that her family keeps her grounded. Gunmen stood guard at the camp entrance. I always keep my gun handy just in case. I pretended to agree with her, just to keep her happy. She keeps a bottle of gin hidden behind a stack of books. He decided to keep a journal. Now that the crisis is over, we must try to get things back on an even keel. The captain always keeps a log. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists. This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand. The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy. The museum has enough exhibits to keep anyone occupied for an hour or two. I kept myself occupied by watching television. I was so sleepy, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Officers investigating her death are keeping their options open. We try to keep the mountain roads open all through the winter. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. a priceless work of art that must be kept for posterity The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet. We always keep some money in reserve, just in case. You shouldn’t keep the engine running when the car is standing still. Make sure you keep these documents safe. Keep your credit cards in a safe place. The boss of the failed company is keeping schtum about his role in the disaster. Is anybody keeping score (=making a record of the score)? They kept their relationship secret from their parents. He tries to keep his professional life completely separate from his private life. She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape. She kept silent, forcing Buchanan to continue. I don’t know how we managed to remain solvent. A special team of police were kept on standby. Men were taught to keep a stiff upper lip. I found it very difficult to keep a straight face. The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours. Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away. I try to keep the garden tidy. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. The government is keeping tight control on immigration. Sometimes I don’t know what keeps us together. If you want to get in trim for summer, try aerobics. My job was to keep the garden in trim. The group decided to make a video diary of the cycling trip. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside. I’ve put your dinner in the oven to keep it warm. One of his responsibilities is to keep a watching brief on foreign broadcasts. the amount of exercise needed to keep your body in working order
(=do things in return for the things that are provided for you) It’s time you got a job and started earning your keep.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It’s time you got a job and started earning your keep.· We try to keep the patients active by taking them for a daily walk.
The Treasury borrowed £40 billion, just to stay afloat. Somehow we kept the ship afloat. (also stick to an agreement informal) (=do what you have agreed)· It’s important to keep to your student loan agreement.
Getting ahead at work is the most important thing to her at the moment. He was kept alive on a life-support machine. She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class. The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew. The police try to keep rival supporters apart at all matches. (=go to an appointment that you have arranged)· Please let us know if you cannot keep your appointment.
· The police ordered people to stay away from the area.
· I was tired and it was hard to stay awake.
· The noise of the airplanes kept me awake.
(=stay steady)· The sea was so rough that it was hard to keep your balance.
· Try to keep a balance between your spending and your earnings.· A firm must strive to maintain a balance between business and financial risk.
(=spend only the money that is available)· Further cuts are needed in order to keep within the budget.
There were lots of activities to keep the kids busy. I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. (=check something regularly)· Keep a check on your baby’s temperature.
· Can you keep a checklist of what we need to buy?
· You should always keep your kitchen clean.
(=watch someone or something carefully)· They have to keep a close eye on their finances.
We must all stay close. The money kept him in clover for years. (=give one continuously)· Attenborough kept up a running commentary on the animals' movements.
(=be with someone so that they do not feel lonely)· Mum was out so I stayed at home to keep my younger sister company.
(=stay calm) The widow broke down in tears, but her daughters maintained their composure.
The widow broke down in tears, but her daughters maintained their composure. Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential. (also maintain contact formal)· We’ve stayed in contact since we met on holiday.
Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control. The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control. his ability to keep cool in a crisis (also retain a copy of something formal)· Did you keep a copy of the email?
· The men have been held in custody since they were arrested.
· Keeping prices low helps to retain customers.
British English (=keep something secret) Apparently, he has a son, but he’s kept that very dark.
Apparently, he has a son, but he’s kept that very dark. College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. (also keep pace with demand) (=satisfy the demand)· Public funding for higher education has not kept up with demand.
(=write regularly in a diary)· While I was travelling, I kept a diary every day.
(also maintain discipline formal) (=make people obey the rules)· A good teacher knows how to maintain discipline.
· We managed to keep dry inside an old farm building.
· I couldn’t get to the gym, so I did a few keep-fit exercises in my bedroom.
(=prevent them from closing)· I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.
(=be watching something with all your attention)· Ted sat with his eyes glued to the television.
(=make sure that you know about the most recent fashions)· Lucy likes to keep up with the latest fashions.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’s going to be OK. (=have them as pets or for breeding)· We used to keep tropical fish when I was young.
I swim twice a week to try and keep fit. Seb struggled to keep his footing on the slippery path. British English (also neat American English)· The hotel is set in a well-kept garden.
(=keep looking at someone or something)· I kept my gaze fixed on the television and didn’t look at him as he left the room.
Simmons says that her family keeps her grounded. Gunmen stood guard at the camp entrance. I always keep my gun handy just in case. I pretended to agree with her, just to keep her happy. She keeps a bottle of gin hidden behind a stack of books. (=hold something without letting go)· I had to run to keep hold of the leather strap.
(=keep it at a low level)· These policies will help to keep inflation down.
(=be at the same level as inflation)· Salaries have not kept pace with inflation.
He decided to keep a journal. Now that the crisis is over, we must try to get things back on an even keel. The captain always keeps a log. When you’re driving, keep a sharp lookout (=watch extra carefully) for cyclists. This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand. (=to keep something at a low level)· Keep the noise to a minimum, will you?
(=not do things that cause trouble etc)· Can I trust you to stay our of mischief for half an hour?
(=prevent someone from causing trouble)· Playing football helps keep him out of mischief.
(also sustain the momentum formal) (=keep being successful)· Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and win the next game as well.
(=keep morale high)· It was becoming difficult to keep up the morale of the troops.
The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy. (=remain calm and confident in a difficult situation)· The team held their nerve and went on to win.
(=closely watch someone or something over a period of time)· The doctor ordered that the patient be kept under observation.
The museum has enough exhibits to keep anyone occupied for an hour or two. I kept myself occupied by watching television. I was so sleepy, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Officers investigating her death are keeping their options open. We try to keep the mountain roads open all through the winter. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. (=not say what you really think)· As the youngest person there, I knew enough to keep my opinions to myself.
(=to not limit what you can choose to do later)· Studying a broad range of subjects helps to keep your options open.
(=continue to do something or happen as quickly as before)· China's society is transforming but can it keep up the pace?
(=do something as fast as something else is happening or being done)· It’s essential that we constantly update our skills and keep up with the pace of change.
· They kept carefully to the paths and did not go across the farmer's fields.
(=be able to make regular payments)· He was having trouble meeting the interest payments.
· I hope we can all keep this issue in perspective.
(=have one in your home)· Tenants aren’t allowed to keep pets.· Many species of parrot can be kept as pets.
· We’re sticking to our original plan.
(=do what you promised to do)· He has not kept his election pledges.
a priceless work of art that must be kept for posterity (=keep pretending that you are doing something or that something is true)· She kept up the pretence that her husband had died in order to claim the insurance money.
(also fulfil a promise British English, fulfill a promise American English formal) (=do what you promised to do)· She said she would come back, and she kept her promise.· The mayor has fulfilled his promise to get tough on corruption.
The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet.· Teachers keep a record of students’ progress.
We always keep some money in reserve, just in case. (=continue to review it)· He recommended that the matter should be kept under review.
You shouldn’t keep the engine running when the car is standing still. Make sure you keep these documents safe. Keep your credit cards in a safe place. The boss of the failed company is keeping schtum about his role in the disaster. Is anybody keeping score (=making a record of the score)? (also retain a seat formal) (=not lose it in an election)· He is unlikely to retain his seat after next year's election.· Labour managed to hold the seat, but with a reduced majority.
They kept their relationship secret from their parents. (=not tell it to anyone)· Can you keep a secret?
(=a secret that few people are allowed to know)· The recipe is a closely-guarded secret.
· Throughout it all she retained her sense of fun.
He tries to keep his professional life completely separate from his private life. She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape.· When it’s so hot, we keep the doors and windows shut and put on the air conditioner.
She kept silent, forcing Buchanan to continue.· Keep your explanation as simple as possible.
I don’t know how we managed to remain solvent. (=keep them feeling happy)· He wrote home often, trying to keep his family’s spirits up.
A special team of police were kept on standby. Men were taught to keep a stiff upper lip. (=make someone laugh) Her jokes had us all in stitches.
Her jokes had us all in stitches. I found it very difficult to keep a straight face. (=not talk about it)· I knew he was trying to avoid the subject of drugs.· She hoped that Anna would keep off the subject of Luke for the next few hours.
The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours.· She tried to speak calmly and control her temper.
Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away. I try to keep the garden tidy. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. The government is keeping tight control on immigration. (=control it very firmly) The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power. Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power. Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings. (=manage a company, organization etc strictly and effectively)
Sometimes I don’t know what keeps us together. (=keep writing or talking, even though you do not see each other often) Anyway, we must stay in touch. I met him when I worked in Madrid, and I’ve kept in touch with him ever since.
Anyway, we must stay in touch. I met him when I worked in Madrid, and I’ve kept in touch with him ever since. If you want to get in trim for summer, try aerobics. My job was to keep the garden in trim. (=to give someone all the newest information about something) Our magazine will keep you up to date with fashion.
Our magazine will keep you up to date with fashion. (=to make something more modern) The old system should be brought up to date.
The old system should be brought up to date. The group decided to make a video diary of the cycling trip. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside. (=not speak loudly)· Keep your voice down, they’ll hear you!
(=do as you promised)· She kept her vow not to tell anyone about their affair.
· He kept us waiting for half an hour.
I’ve put your dinner in the oven to keep it warm. (=wear enough clothes not to feel cold) Make sure you keep warm!
Make sure you keep warm! One of his responsibilities is to keep a watching brief on foreign broadcasts. (=become thinner or stay thin)· How can I keep my weight down?
(=become or stay thinner)· I changed my eating habits so I’d keep the weight off.
(=be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation)
the amount of exercise needed to keep your body in working orderPHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► somebody’s keepPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep several/too many etc balls in the air► have/keep your beady eye(s) on somebody/something► play/keep your cards close to your chest► keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something► have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)► keep the flag flying► get/have/keep your foot in the door► keep your hair on► keep/put something on ice► keep/stay etc a jump ahead (of somebody)► keep/have somebody on a leash► keep/stick to the message► keep your nose to the grindstone► keep your powder dry► keep something quiet/keep quiet about something► keep a tight rein on somebody/something► keep somebody sane► keep your shirt on► keep somebody sweet► keep a civil tongue in your head► keep on trucking► keep a watch out for somebody/something
- He's given it to me for keeps.
- Marriage ought to be for keeps.
- I'd threatened to leave many times before but I believed in marriage being for keeps and trying to make it work.
- Marriage is for keeps, we say.
- They lead with their hearts and they play for keeps.
- Executives keep abreast of events in the company by e-mail.
- Dulles did more than make the customary recommendations that the policies of the colonial powers keep abreast of local political aspirations.
- In this way, hip Benetton stays abreast of the unpredictable storms of fashion.
- Many growers may feel overwhelmed as they struggle to keep abreast of potentially helpful developments.
- Once in their job, industrial production managers must stay abreast of new production technologies and management practices.
- One way to stay abreast of the legal fees is to ask for monthly billings.
- Representative staff will keep abreast of national developments by attending conferences and by visiting other schools piloting such courses.
- The trouble was that the purchasing power of the workers did not keep abreast of what they produced.
- Listening to the radio keeps me amused while I'm driving.
- For now, I can keep up appearances and still go to the same restaurants as my friends.
- Of course, he tries to keep up appearances, but he lives entirely off borrowed money.
- She put Christmas decorations in the window just to keep up appearances.
- A travel iron is useful for keeping up appearances on holiday.
- All my efforts were concentrated on keeping up appearances during those two hours of the day when I was with them.
- He still took care to be rude and truculent at school to keep up appearances, but the old venom had faded.
- Man on the move Everything a man need to keep up appearances while he's away from home.
- She just wanted to keep up appearances for the kids.
- Sometimes a mood, or a phase of the menstrual cycle, will bring about a definite aversion to keeping up appearances.
- They spend all they have to keep up appearances.
- We all have to keep up appearances while we wait for the tide to turn.
- Economic policies kept the Soviet Union and Japan at arm's length during the Cold War.
- Ali MacGraw set the ball rolling with Love Story.
- And laughter is infectious ... so a little bit of effort on the small screen could start the ball rolling.
- Does that make a difference, or did he and others just start the ball rolling?
- He will keep the ball rolling.
- Her words started the ball rolling.
- To start the ball rolling, the government was asked to contribute £1 million.
- Volume 2 deals with general idioms e.g. keep the ball rolling, the proof of the pudding.
- Wolves play a similar style, and at times one yearned for some one to set the ball rolling ... literally.
- Sandbags kept the floodwaters at bay.
- The government hopes to keep inflation at bay.
- All in all, the eatery is a breakfast bargain, with enough different components to keep boredom at bay.
- Another technique for keeping performance anxiety at bay is the group sing-along.
- Brown has kept the tumult at bay.
- Concentrating on Emma would help to keep her worries at bay for a little while.
- He was gritting his teeth against the pain, keeping it at bay while he studied the stump, the severed hand.
- My voice holds them at bay.
- She holds the adventurers at bay by holding the scroll over a candle flame and threatening to destroy it.
- Two green glazed lions guarded the gates to keep evil spirits at bay.
- Struggling peasants they'd be for the most part, trying to keep body and soul together in difficult times.
- The court heard that the general was unable to keep his troops in check.
- The disease is held in check by weekly injections of a power drug.
- A small bag of zeolite was used for three days, every two weeks to keep ammonia in check.
- But it was rookie Coach Ray Rhodes who gets the most credit for keeping the team in check.
- Churn makes it harder for charities to raise money, keeps real-estate prices in check and politics volatile.
- His own temper rose, but he held it in check.
- In one important area the Navy held its ambitions in check for bargaining reasons within the Whitehall market-place.
- Mulch plants each spring with straw to conserve moisture and keep weeds in check.
- What is new is that the controls which held this population in check no longer exist.
- Keep your chin up! We'll get through this together!
- Answer Steer clear of these subjects.
- Even if Ranieri had secured a change in the law, however, investors would have stayed clear of mortgage bonds.
- He had stayed clear of the subject of religion since Christmas.
- Pittman advises steering clear of any influence that puts our own happiness first.
- The Profitboss steers clear of such indulgence, for in the end everyone pays dearly for the privilege of the few.
- The starters have learned to steer clear of her.
- Unless your home is totally dilapidated, steer clear of a complete redecoration prior to selling: it will arouse suspicion.
- Even after Charles married Princess Diana he kept in close contact with Camilla.
- He had not kept in close touch with the performers who had danced in his first little group.
- I am keen to keep in close touch with you on this subject.
- I take that point and we are keeping in close contact with local authorities.
- I urge my hon. Friend to keep in close touch to make sure that response times are up to the charter.
- In practice, I keep in close touch with the work of the foundation.
- The Society is keeping in close touch with the appropriate authority and full information will be published as soon as possible.
- To monitor their responses we have kept in close touch with each family's health visitor.
- The waitress was really busy, but she kept her cool.
- He should go out and have a beer with you, not just keep his cool with the unit...
- Instead, Dukakis kept his cool and sealed his candidacy's doom.
- Kick the day into action with refreshing Celsius Body Splash Opposite, below: keep your cool even when working up a sweat.
- One of the best tips is to keep your cool.
- Oxford kept their cool though and came up with a winner 5 minutes from time.
- She'd fancied him for ages and when he asked her out she managed to keep her cool even though she felt faint.
- Weaver keeps his cool while all those around him are losing theirs.
- You've got to keep your cool, you've got to be strong in the head.
- Even with those she loves most, Ginny tends to keep her own counsel.
- Amelia Earhart solved the problem her grandmother presented by keeping her own counsel.
- However, he may simply have been keeping his own counsel when talking to me out of a proper loyalty and caution.
- I keep my own counsel now, and my children are baffled by the new me.
- McLaren keeps his own counsel, being as reticent as Ferguson is gregarious.
- She is precisely the person to keep her own counsel for three hours.
- So, obediently she kept her own counsel.
- They were inscrutable, they kept their own counsel, and they were intelligent.
- To the end, he kept his own counsel.
- Are you keeping count of how many people you've invited?
- After that he no longer bothered to keep count.
- He started taking apart the engineering of the scene, keeping count of the timing in his head.
- The Local kept count of the union dead.
- Men tend to keep their children at more of a distance than women.
- Police warned the public to keep their distance if they saw a man fitting this description.
- Shots were fired into the air to force the police to keep their distance.
- Stick to the paths, and make sure you keep your distance from nesting birds.
- At first we kept our distance.
- Burgess says such activities increase the danger that sharks will lose the respect for humans that mostly makes them keep their distance.
- I saw him later, standing at a meeting of walls, a shy girl keeping her distance.
- It is easy to see it now in the way labor has kept its distance from the plant-closing movement.
- Over the years I have kept my distance from the white women's movement.
- Ruth kept her distance from him but she could do nothing about the wretched aura that surrounded him.
- Sometimes Fate tiptoes discreetly at the margins of our lives, averting her eyes and keeping her distance.
- I haven't heard any more news, but I'll keep my ear to the ground.
- All of you - walk around Pentonville and keep your ears open.
- They had a kid copper keeping his ears open.
- As the illustration above shows, even if you just use the Family Rail Card once, it will earn its keep.
- It helped them keep their end up in battle, too, claim historians.
- It is difficult to get skips in this age group capable of keeping their end up at this level of competition.
- Richter kept his end up by arranging a press visit to Huemul Island on 21 June, 1951.
- Always keeping an eye out in case of thieves.
- And we had to keep an eye open for police patrols.
- For months, he kept an eye out.
- He will keep an eye out, but he can not promise anything.
- Male speaker All you got to do is keep an eye open and watch the break lights.
- Though he works hard with all the kids, he keeps an eye out for the special ones.
- Valueoriented consumers should keep an eye out for the name FabreMontmayou.
- But if you mean to stick around on the planet for a bit, you need to keep your eyes skinned.
- He had kept his eyes peeled.
- He pedalled along the canal bank quite slowly, keeping his eyes skinned for signs of defunct animal life.
- If you are interested, keep your eyes peeled for nomination lists to that effect.
- One final word on buying components, keep your eyes peeled for products that are about to be discontinued.
- She still kept her eyes skinned for people coming up the drive though.
- The village was in complete wilderness, our toilet a local bush - keeping our eyes peeled for lions!
- We keep our eyes peeled for Forest Service Road 670.
- But they can still learn a remarkable amount by keeping an eye on the east.
- He said Kaczynski would keep an eye on his property.
- I decided that I would keep an eye on Tom after that.
- Mark: No, but the doctor is keeping an eye on her.
- Meanwhile we shall keep an eye on him.
- The doctor thought it best if she checked into a small, private facility where he could keep an eye on her.
- Those with Internet access should keep an eye on a series of Usenet discussion groups that cater to Windows 95 issues.
- You keep an eye on her, and me or Nanny Ogg will drop in when we can.
- Even after his second wife left him in 1991, Thurmond has kept his eye in practice.
- It all helps to get your eye in and is far better than trying to rely on memory.
- As I told you, I have my eyes on a very different sort of market.
- He kept his eyes on Ezra, surveying him.
- He kept his eyes on his father, who had betrayed him.
- His face had grown serious, and he kept his eyes on the road.
- I kept my eyes on it the whole time, he wrote.
- It was not only Percy Makepeace who kept his eyes on Hilary.
- Mulcahey kept his eyes on the circles that widened out from the pebbles he dropped into the water.
- We have to keep our eyes on the sandy path.
- "I think I've lost that camera you lent me," I said, trying to keep a straight face.
- Barbara tried to keep a straight face, but in the end she just couldn't help laughing.
- He looked so ridiculous -- I don't know how I managed to keep a straight face.
- She looked so ridiculous it was hard to keep a straight face.
- When reading some of the competition entries, it was hard to keep a straight face.
- With a completely straight face, Thomas announced he was joining the Girl Guides.
- For the first hundred yards we keep straight faces.
- How can you say that and keep a straight face?
- I keep a straight face and the composure of a chemist dispensing a prescription.
- I try and keep a straight face, but I can't help grinning at myself.
- It was very difficult to keep a straight face.
- The old trick of keeping a straight face was failing him these days.
- The military regime has not kept faith with its promises of democratic reform.
- He had kept faith with the Old Man and brought them home.
- He was my husband, and I, wretch that I am, could not keep faith with him.
- Moxon's decision to drop Ashley Metcalfe and keep faith with Simon Kellett turned out to be fully justified.
- They were moderns, they must keep faith with their generation and not look back towards the old one.
- She's really creative, but she also has her feet firmly on the ground.
- So I guess inversely he taught me the need to be prepared and keep both feet on the ground.
- Our supervisor likes to keep everyone guessing.
- Although she has retired now, she keeps her hand in by giving her grandchildren music lessons.
- He still comes around the gym occasionally, just to keep his hand in.
- For all his pride, he misses the public forum politics provides and wants to keep his hand in somehow.
- He kept his hands in his pockets as they beat him.
- He kept his hands in his pockets so he would not smash Tony Angotti in the face.
- He liked to bow and ruin the effect by keeping his hands in his pockets.
- He moved slowly and cautiously, and kept his hands in clear view.
- Nevertheless, he continued with his finger covered in blood, keeping his hand in his pocket.
- The one-time gifted student kept his hands in his pockets as he listened to the brief proceedings.
- Rather than wear your heart on your sleeve, you keep it under your hat.
- But real life, of course, teaches lesser men to keep their heads down and their mouths shut.
- Carla kept her head down as she approached the front door, glancing up briefly when the two officers introduced them-selves.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He kept his head down under fire, avoided trouble, trusted in luck to keep him alive.
- I have pain in my left shoulder when I keep my head down or in moving my left arm a lot.
- I kept my head down and pretended to be consuming the scraps left on my dish.
- I kept my head down and the heavy bag well to the fore as a protective shield.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.
- They were looking for a coach who could stay enthusiastic and keep his head at the same time.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He keeps his head smooth with frequent shaving.
- He kept his head turned towards Mary, though, as between parted lips they licked the tips of each other's tongues.
- I have to keep my head up.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Luckily, I am a good swimmer, so I managed to keep my head out of the milk.
- Suddenly she began to walk faster to the car, keeping her head turned away from the direction of them.
- Although I've been out of a job for three months, I've managed to keep my head above water.
- I'm just a pensioner, trying to keep my head above water.
- I work full time, but we're still just keeping our heads above water.
- If I get this raise, we'll just about keep our heads above water until next year.
- Schools throughout the county are struggling to keep their heads above water.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Coun Bergg, we are happy to report, is alive and well and keeping his head above water.
- In reality, Diana was struggling to keep her head above water, let alone undertake a radical management restructuring programme.
- It became increasingly difficult to keep his head above water.
- Pensioners already fighting to keep their heads above water are being asked to pay extra council tax to fund the refugee crisis.
- The wind and waves pushed me along as I struggled to keep my head above water.
- We all do, really, and we're keeping our heads above water most beautifully.
- Owen's wife, Lauren, keeps house and looks after the children.
- For many years thereafter he stayed at home and kept house while she supported them financially.
- It must have seemed strange to have found herself keeping house for my grandfather and his daughters.
- It was hard work keeping house.
- Low inflation that keeps house prices from appreciating and high interest rates were blamed.
- She couldn't bear things like Anna refusing to keep house or giving any pleasure to herself.
- She enjoyed doing things like that far more than keeping house.
- There had been no mention of Alice going out there to keep house for him.
- Where keeping house and cooking were not female chores but simple tasks of pleasure and survival.
- During the strike, the media kept the public fully informed about the situation.
- I want to know what you decide, so keep me informed.
- Parents have complained that we are not keeping them very well informed of their children's progress.
- Please keep me fully informed of any new developments.
- The doctor should be kept informed about any changes in your child's condition.
- We'll be keeping you informed of any new developments.
- A flurry of fists and boots followed as local referee Ignacio Silva struggled to keep the lid on.
- Additionally, falling prices for key commodities, like copper, are keeping a lid on most manufacturing costs.
- All this will combine to keep the lid on prices.
- He apparently hoped this would keep the lid on the operation.
- In the meantime, Father Glynn hoped that Jim Maier could keep a lid on the place.
- Support the possibility of keeping a lid on tax increases.
- Unlike Anthony, Geoffrey could keep a lid on his temper.
- Up with the lark and wanting to get out of town, I have to keep the lid on my impatience.
- Soldiers kept a lookout for enemy planes through the night.
- And send a couple of your boys up here to keep a lookout.
- From his present position, Larsen would be better placed to keep a lookout for trouble and provide backup.
- Then, with a watchful eye, it can keep a lookout for potential prey without revealing its presence.
- Many of the exiles have married, taken jobs, and generally kept a low profile.
- She's keeping a low profile until the scandal is forgotten.
- Western visitors to the region are asked to keep a low profile.
- Apple kept a low profile for the first few days of the conference, making no major announcements or product introductions.
- But since then they have kept a low profile and not made their findings public.
- During the event Clinton will keep a low profile.
- I decided to keep a low profile, after all I was a guest.
- Kendall keeps a low profile, refusing to grant on-the-record interviews with the news media.
- Like every really smart lobbyist, Boggs knows the importance of being subtle and of keeping a low profile.
- There was nothing she could do about it, other than keep a low profile and stay well out of his way.
- With police apparently keeping a low profile, the violence intensified during the night.
- At other times, the surroundings helped to take my mind off it.
- I guess there is nothing that will get your mind off every-thing like golf will.
- Instead they tried to take their minds off the poster campaign by providing weekend entertainment.
- It takes your mind off how you feel.
- Kirsty chattered excitedly throughout the journey, helping to keep Shiona's mind off her anxieties.
- Letters could take my mind off most things.
- To take his mind off his worries, I suggested that he wrote out a message for his family.
- When the other guy thinks you are cheating, it can take his mind off the game.
- With all the talk of job losses, I was having trouble keeping my mind on my work.
- All good nurses were trained to keep their minds on their jobs, but even good nurses were human.
- But I can not keep my mind on the movie, which now seems false and cloying.
- He was numbed by the thought of this imaginary food and could hardly keep his mind on what the Padre was saying.
- Let's keep our mind on the job at hand.
- On Friday, the day of the fair, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.
- Primo has been trying to keep his mind on what they are doing in this moment.
- You are going to be hard pushed to keep your mind on whatever you're doing Tuesday.
- Bobcat. Keep that in mind.
- But they keep Soviet might in mind, however remote the threat now seems.
- If he had ... no conclusions yet, just bear it in mind.
- It is important to bear this in mind in any study of the role of school governors in meeting special educational needs.
- It is important to keep your audience in mind when writing a report.
- They might bear that in mind.
- To keep it in mind, at all costs.
- We've got to bear it in mind.
- He just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.
- You'd better keep your mouth shut about this.
- After the incident Ninham, of Hilda Street, gave both boys £5 and told them to keep their mouths shut.
- For one, a mistress who kept her mouth shut.
- I don't believe she could keep her mouth shut.
- If I would only keep my mouth shut more often, I thought, I would fit in better everywhere.
- In the end, I kept my mouth shut.
- It would be best to keep our mouths shut and let justice take its course.
- This is all from Gran so keep your mouth shut.
- You want to be off the record, keep your mouth shut.
- Far right: Septimus keeps Mum and Dad awake.
- In politics, as in life, truth hurts.Better to keep mum.
- So, darling, keep mum about where we are.
- That obviously includes me, so your mum's got to keep mum, chick.
- The grinning skull on the back of the mystery woman's jacket is keeping mum.
- He's been sentenced to seven years in prison, but he'll be out in four if he keeps his nose clean.
- It's not a great job, but if you keep your nose clean, you should be promoted by the end of the year.
- But journalists are supposed to keep their noses clean, or at least tell us when they don't.
- But keep his nose clean and take their money, and he could have a marvellous life in Berlin.
- Keep your nose out of my business!
- You keep your nose out, you hear me?
- A strike has been going on at the mine for over three months and the nine who died were all non-union men.
- But what's going on at No. 4 and No. 8 are free rides, nothing less.
- Funny stuff going on at the Olympics.
- He had a bad leg and they kept on at him to hurry up.
- I must say I was not totally happy about her going on at Yeo Davis, with me in the government.
- Something must be going on at school.
- There was some spitting going on at the end of the game.
- You used to go on at me about getting out.
- And they don't go on about his obvious flaws, like him being a doctor and having three dozen girlfriends.
- Everyone goes on about Cher's dresses, showing her navel.
- However, this is the party that goes on about unemployment as though it had a good record on unemployment.
- It sounded stupid the way she went on about loving the sea.
- It went on about 15 minutes too long.
- The first I knew about it was Malcolm going on about rubber.
- This made him wary as he went on about his chores and tried not to let Lucky see him.
- Why do I go on about this, I wonder.
- All of you - walk around Pentonville and keep your ears open.
- By then keeping her eyes open was less of an effort.
- Go back to bed only when you can no longer keep your eyes Open.
- Remembering his duty, he strode briskly up the stairs, keeping his eyes open for any suspicious signs.
- Swing the boat south, keep her eyes open.
- The basic rules of self-defence are quite simple: keep your eyes open and you can usually avoid trouble.
- The daily firings produced by the withering economy offered loopholes of opportunity for a young man who kept his eyes open.
- You know how to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.
- At the end of the season, I will keep my options open.
- Either way, you can keep your options open.
- Flexibility is key, keeping your options open.
- Many young people want to keep their options open.
- Some companies are keeping their options open on retaining or dumping anachronistic names.
- We must expect to be surprised in the future, and we must keep our options open.
- You need to keep your options open in order to change courses at a moment's notice.
- An aide said the money is needed to keep pace with the cost of issuing licenses.
- But his lack of experience and robotic speaking style made it difficult for him to keep pace with Dole.
- But they still haven't kept pace with the population even though it is slowing down now.
- Her words were written down by recorders, whom she sometimes exhorted to write faster to keep pace with her.
- However, the implementation of existing directives into national law is not keeping pace with the 1992 programme.
- Interest rates paid on checking and passbook savings accounts failed to keep pace with inflation.
- Pensions and benefits had not risen to keep pace with the rate of inflation, especially in the 1970s.
- Purse money, however, has not kept pace.
- In the past, air support from the RAF base at Aden had been enough to keep the peace between the rival warring tribes.
- The President sent federal troops to Grenada to keep the peace.
- The U.S. is sending troops overseas again - this time to keep the peace.
- But for the sake of keeping the peace, it would probably be wise to use his new name.
- Callaghan not unreasonably claimed in his memoirs that the Tories won the Falklands War but that Labour had kept the peace.
- He was bound over to keep the peace by magistrates.
- In the past, this had sufficed to keep the peace between the rival warring tribes.
- On Vadinamia secrets are kept, and visitors are left strictly alone as long as they keep the peace.
- Some conditions, nevertheless, did contribute toward keeping the peace.
- The elder child may be made to give way to the demands of the younger one in order to keep the peace.
- The judges extrapolated it from the fact that constables hold office under the Crown and are sworn to keep the peace.
- And since the credit accrued to him, he held his peace.
- But Kate knew when enough was enough so she kept her peace.
- But she held her peace and waited for the miracle.
- Colonel Fergusson nodded indulgently at such pertness and obstinacy, but held his peace.
- Gorbachev, like any husband in his circumstances, kept his peace.
- No, better to hold her peace and pretend.
- So I decide to hold my peace for a little while longer.
- Why did he want to hold his peace?
- It's going to boil down to keeping your pecker up, looking on the best side of things.
- Besides, I wanted to put you in the picture.
- Call it: putting you in the picture.
- He put Maclean in the picture about his letter to Wilson.
- Perhaps he did not like to argue with Jean-Claude, suspecting that my lover may have been put fully in the picture.
- Then she remembered that she had promised to keep Sybil in the picture but decided that could wait as well.
- Keep me posted - I'd like to know of any changes.
- We don't have any plans yet, but I'll keep you posted.
- Apple kept a low profile for the first few days of the conference, making no major announcements or product introductions.
- But since then they have kept a low profile and not made their findings public.
- During the event Clinton will keep a low profile.
- I decided to keep a low profile, after all I was a guest.
- Kendall keeps a low profile, refusing to grant on-the-record interviews with the news media.
- Like every really smart lobbyist, Boggs knows the importance of being subtle and of keeping a low profile.
- There was nothing she could do about it, other than keep a low profile and stay well out of his way.
- With police apparently keeping a low profile, the violence intensified during the night.
- My confidence was so low it was difficult to keep things in proportion -- the smallest problem seemed like a major tragedy.
- The Party's recent successes in the polls are encouraging but they need to be kept in proportion.
- In fact it was Jack's sense of humour that kept her feelings in proportion during the next few days.
- In our celebrity-obsessed society, it is nice to see some one keeping things in proportion.
- Work was carried on around the lump in a fairly ordered pattern helping to keep everything in proportion.
- Give the kids some crayons, that will keep them quiet for a while.
- I can keep it real simple.
- A successful maintenance routine should be regular but not too often.
- Note that if you go for the unfiltered system, water changes must be regular.
- People who keep regular diaries find that the records become a source of motivation.
- There should be regular surveys of the long-term expenditure implications of current and proposed policies.
- These might be regular if there is not overtaking but random if there is unlimited overtaking, quite different patterns.
- They should be regular, with easily visible treads.
- To be effective, exercise must be regular and brisk.
- Whatever method is adopted, there should be regular reference to time-charts or time-lines.
- By healing the man is he keeping the Sabbath Holy or profaning it?
- One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath Holy.
- So the idea of keeping the Sabbath day holy was born.
- The people of Lewis keep the Sabbath and their honour.
- Security guards kept a sharp eye on Mattson as he walked through the store.
- As a teen-ager, I kept a sharp eye on who was winning the prizes I wanted: Honor Roll.
- I keep a sharp eye on him.
- But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
- They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
- It was a constant struggle to stay one step ahead of thrift regulators in Washington.
- Money With better management of resources you will be able to stay one step ahead.
- The reason Chappy is moving around so much is to keep one step ahead I suppose.
- We don't want to sell him but we have to keep one step ahead.
- He keeps tabs on everyone in the building.
- A psychologist will keep tabs on teams of youngsters and will stop the operation if they show signs of stress.
- About the world Lenny Wilkens has been keeping tabs on world events, and one thing is clear.
- Although so little was heard from them, those who kept tabs on them were convinced that they were slowly fading away.
- Anne Dickson, a local politician, said people had been keeping tabs on Hamilton for years.
- But trappers will keep tabs on the extra traps until February, officials said.
- If she asked, he would accuse her of nagging, of wanting to keep tabs on him.
- They patrol land and keep tabs on the gangs after tip offs from gamekeepers and farmers.
- We try to keep close tabs on our boys in blue.
- I knew they were trying to annoy me but I was determined to keep my temper.
- It took all her patience just to keep her temper.
- Police officers are expected to keep their tempers whatever people say to them.
- All you have to do is get up close, keep your temper, and shoot straight.
- For one, Chilcott had kept his temper, hoping to coax his niece round to his point of view.
- He kept his temper and signalled the other galley to turn to the shore at Drimnin, to do the repairs.
- How will I keep my temper?
- I should have kept my temper, she thought frantically.
- Susan told herself to keep her temper.
- We kept our tempers, as if patience wasn't something we maintained at the expense of our fading energies.
- When Felipe was grown up my father was wary and kept his temper.
- Motoring: Can R-R keep up with the times?
- The pub has made no attempt to keep up with the times ... no karaoke here ... just conversation.
- At one stage, he joined her, pacing with her, beating time with one hand.
- In employment systems, after all, people are not mustered to play together as their manager beats time.
- It is not true that elsewhere they obey it without beating it, since one beats time wherever choruses are sung.
- It starts lean and mean, just a slash of overdriven guitar with tambourine keeping time.
- The lord began to tap his foot and beat time with his hand against his thigh.
- They are likened by Leibniz to a series of clocks that manage to keep time without being connected.
- They were often unable to keep time to within fifteen minutes a day and were frequently out of order.
- Tidy time keep time on your side and all your bills in order with this hand clip clock.
- But like a single gear in a mechanical clock, timeless can not keep good time all by itself.
- Nothing unusual - clocks behaving as before, keeping good time and continuing to emit their light beams.
- Running in a clump through a crowded station, like the Bash Street Kids, keeping perfect time with chant and clap.
- With a test every Friday, she keeps her students on their toes.
- And, keeping them on their toes ... the doctors who walk eighteen miles a day.
- He keeps them on their toes.
- Inflation, which depletes the value of stocks and bonds, also keeps investors on their toes.
- Meetings are held every nineteen days, not necessarily Sundays, which must keep people on their toes.
- The general use of disapproval in order to keep people on their toes tends to be counterproductive after a time.
- Together, these threats are supposed to discipline managers and keep them on their toes.
- We have improved because a few extra players have come in and the bench is outstanding which keeps everyone on their toes.
- You have to have good people doing these jobs, and you have to keep folks on their toes.
- But Letitia stayed in touch, and together, sadly as it turned out, they had found family member Number Three.
- EASY-TO-USE Paging is a simple but fast way to keep in touch.
- I want you to stay in touch.
- Lots of traveling dads and moms are now using e-mail to stay in touch.
- One friend, a lawyer, swears by e-mail because it helps her keep in touch with far-flung friends.
- The idea was to hang together, keep in touch with the audience and maybe make a few bucks.
- They had been classmates as undergraduates at City College of New York and had always stayed in touch.
- We may have to be in touch again.
- I followed the map, keeping track of our position so I could radio in our coordinates if we went down.
- Nitrogen use will be more problematic, but precision farming will enable farmers to keep track of field nutrient balances.
- Nobody could keep track of all the winners.
- North wanted to have Waite wired to keep track of his movements electronically, but Waite, very sensibly, refused.
- She'd lost track of it while she was dealing with Anna.
- She keeps track of magazine subscription renewals on a 10-by-12-inch card.
- Write down the names of people you meet, and then keep track of them.
- Tell him to keep his trap shut and let me ask the questions.
- Both, for different reasons, kept weather eyes on the cloning work.
- They dabble in composites, and keep a weather eye on the developments made by the small specialists.
- This lets you keep a weather eye on your finances.
- But it was worth it to keep the wolves from the door.
- No sign of any more money than is needed to keep the wolf from the door.
- Ford's new range of cars is being kept firmly under wraps until the Geneva auto show.
- It's been suggested the report was kept under wraps to avoid controversy.
- But in the interests of security we are keeping the information under wraps.
- But Micky's very careful to keep it under wraps.
- But officials deny they've been keeping their proposals under wraps.
- Now his biggest concern is keeping his excitement under wraps.
- The Left would like a civilian, but if there is a candidate it is keeping him under wraps.
- The plans are still being kept tightly under wraps, partly through the fear that Mowden might try to scupper them.
- There is some multimedia hardware on-board that the company is trying to keep pretty much under wraps.
- Which is why, if you've got a bad temper, you probably do your utmost to keep it under wraps.
WORD FAMILYnounkeepkeeperkeepingadjectivekeptverbkeep
1somebody’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) It’s time you got a job and started earning your keep.2for keeps informal forever: Marriage ought to be for keeps.3[countable] a large strong tower, usually in the centre of a castle