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单词 keep
释义

Definition of keep in English:

keep

verbkept kiːpkip
[with object]
  • 1Have or retain possession of.

    my father would keep the best for himself
    she had trouble keeping her balance
    Example sentencesExamples
    • I had trouble keeping my balance because I had an open soda pop can in my hands so I had to go slower.
    • He is having trouble keeping his charges' attention while she bobs and weaves in the background.
    • If she keeps her seat at the local elections, she will be made mayor on May 17, with her husband Mike as Mayor's Consort.
    • Allotment gardeners who won their fight to keep their rented plots may now bid to buy them outright.
    • How do some of these individuals keep their positions of employment I wonder?
    • And on the following Friday night, they kept their nerve to win a hugely-physical dogfight.
    • The office has also had trouble keeping multicultural admissions officers more than two years.
    • And in return the councils can keep a share of the extra revenue raised through business tax to spend in their areas.
    • If I'd kept the house for just 3 more years it would have doubled in price.
    • Then with a patronizing tone they tell me that I can keep the change.
    • He then ordered two cheese burgers and a cola, gave me all his money, and told me to keep the change.
    • I have a wife and one-year old baby that I have to provide for, and right now that means keeping my third-shift convenience store job.
    • Key to overturning Labour's landslides was to remain the party willing to allow people to keep more of their own money.
    • Mr Taylor said Brown had told him it was a new year so he intended to stay out of trouble and to keep his job.
    • They may agree to match or better the quote in order to keep your business.
    • I check to see what the best rates are and challenge my lender to keep my business by giving me a better deal.
    • She must have loved him very much as she kept every diary and letter he wrote from 1906 until he died.
    • Good time to drink, he thought, heading to the bar, and leaving Ada to keep a table by the dance floor.
    • There will also be a wide range of high quality locally produced crafts, great to keep or to give as gifts!
    • Ultimately though, Edwards had just too much speed and he kept his composure to win the day and the season.
    1. 1.1 Retain or reserve for future use.
      return one copy to me, keeping the other for your files
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Even so, advisers recommend taking photographs of valuable possessions and keeping receipts for as many things as possible.
      • Most tax advisers recommend keeping copies of your returns and supporting documents for at least six years.
      • The fact that they were twice baked and very dry meant that they could be kept for long periods and were well adapted for use by travellers.
      • Some messages are important and need to be kept for future reference.
      • Are you keeping a reserve of under-worked staff on roll to tap into, in the event of an upswing?
      • It seems people love to hoard them and keep them for the future.
      • I hope someone is planning to keep this stuff for future historians.
      • This powder can be kept for long periods of time and is taken along on a journey.
      • Do you think it is appropriate to keep skeletons for future scientific work?
      • The records belong to the city and are kept in trust for future generations.
      • She added that the 150000 that was set aside in the estimates should be kept in reserve for phase two.
      • Regular use of bronchodilators should therefore be avoided and should be kept in reserve for breakthrough wheezing.
      • Other ‘surplus money’ was being kept aside for classroom improvements, said Mr Jackson.
      • Less data is being deleted and more data is being kept for longer periods of time.
      • Three crops a year are harvested to provide enough rice for the population, and the government keeps surpluses stored for times of drought.
      Synonyms
      retain, hold on to, keep for oneself, retain possession of, keep possession of, retain in one's possession, keep hold of, not part with, hold fast to, hold back
      save, store, store up, save up, hoard, put by, put aside, lay aside, set aside, reserve, keep in reserve, lay down
      collect, accumulate, amass, pile up, stockpile, garner
      North American set something by
      informal hang on to, stash away
    2. 1.2 Put or store in a regular place.
      the stand where her umbrella was kept
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She pulled and guided her horse to the barn where the saddles were kept, moving swiftly as she worked.
      • This manuscript is on the shelf where only books by family members are kept.
      • Plants kept on the windowsill will benefit from hardening off before they are planted out.
      • Bags are a girl's best friend, allowing women to keep their must-have possessions close at hand.
      • Everyone else decided to lounge around the living room where the beautiful sofas were kept.
      • The books are lovingly maintained, and kept on shelves behind a protective screen.
      • Spread your possessions about - keep your money and mobile phone separate.
      • If luck was needed, Stewart had that covered, too, courtesy of his mascot Fred - a toy skeleton that he kept in his glove bag.
      • National service is compulsory and all adult males are members of the Army Reserve, keeping a rifle at home.
      • Mr Caswell kept some furniture and clothing at the flat but did not live there.
      • A second briefcase was kept under the White House in a secret bunker in case of nuclear attack.
      • Frustratingly for the family it was the first time they had stored the bikes inside the shed after previously keeping them inside the house.
      • The other guys in your unit keep pinching your bike for odd jobs throughout the day, and you wouldn't mind keeping it stored underneath a desk.
      • An intricately carved wooden table is kept in between the plush sofas.
      • If the fern is planted in a pot and kept in semi shade or even in a place where it gets some more sunlight, you will soon find the plant spreading around.
      • It would appear that somebody knew he kept money in his house.
      • Saddles were carefully kept in a spare stall and bridles were precisely suspended in the correct places.
      • It's usually kept on one particular shelf, but when he asked me for it, I looked, and it was gone.
      • A key safe is a secure box, opened by keying in a secret number, that is kept outside your house.
      • The letters, totalling 52 pages, were found in the west of Ireland about 30 years ago and kept in a safe ever since.
      Synonyms
      store, house, stow, keep a place for, put away, place, put, deposit, stack, pile
  • 2Continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.

    no object, with complement I kept quiet while Emily talked on
    keep left along the wall
    with object and complement she might be kept alive artificially by machinery
    Example sentencesExamples
    • The miracle of modern medicine may keep a loved one alive despite a terminal condition.
    • The continuing cold weather has kept mildew levels very low.
    • The thick layer of leaves keeps the ground relatively wet, so Bob usually waits until June to plow the leaves under and then plant hay.
    • The wardens would also have had a general duty of care to keep the area clear of litter to help improve the look of the site.
    • No longer can they depend upon their mother to feed them or protect them, or keep them warm.
    • The beaches are always kept in a pristine condition by the many vendors who are there to look after all your needs.
    • His condition became so bad he had to be kept alive on a ventilator.
    • But for some prisoners a good book can be the only thing keeping them sane.
    • He cannot even walk on his own and he is barely kept alive by a variety of mechanical devices.
    • For security reasons, however, the exact location of the deposits is kept secret for the time being.
    • We have to do what needs to be done in order to keep our secrets safe.
    • Bella didn't know what to say to that, so she kept silent.
    • Food that needs to be kept fresh can be stored in containers too, meaning less plastic wrap or foil is needed.
    • She keeps the house clean and beautifully arranged.
    • Keeping all his constituents happy is an all but impossible task.
    • She will also need some reassurance that in future she will be kept safe and that such an event will not repeat itself.
    • More hybrids are expected in the near future and competition should keep prices realistic.
    • The exact location of the cave will be kept secret to protect the art, which is in pristine condition.
    • The cemetery has been kept in excellent condition over the past number of years and it is hoped that this will be the case again this year.
    • It was used in the days before refrigerators to keep food cool and store ice blocks gathered in winter.
    Synonyms
    remain, continue to be, stay, carry on being, go on being, persist in being, not cease to be
    1. 2.1no object, with present participle Continue doing or do repeatedly.
      he keeps going on about the murder
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The doctor just keeps telling me the lab results are normal.
      • I had to keep telling myself to stay focused and remain calm through this whole ordeal.
      • I'd need a thesaurus handy just to make sure I don't keep repeating myself.
      • We kept driving, past cedar thickets and a pasture studded with blooming prickly pear cactus.
      • He was always determined to be modern; not to repeat himself but to keep pushing boundaries.
      • She kept repeating it over and over, like I'd asked her to drive me to Uranus or the Arctic Circle.
      • We need to keep picking up points to stay clear of the relegation zone.
      • They were asked to put forward a defence but kept delaying it.
      • The Blues kept digging deep trying to keep themselves in contention.
      • We like the idea of that because it reminds us to think of the future rather than keep looking to the past.
      • As I pulled up in the car park, a wasp launched itself at the windscreen and kept repeatedly battering itself against the glass.
      • There was an adorable little boy living next door to us, who would keep saying hello repeatedly until we said hello back.
      • He is half the size of some of the others but he is so tough and such a good jumper that he keeps winning.
      • The strange message kept being repeated over and over again for about 15 seconds at 1.55 am each day.
      • I have some biggish plans for an upgrade in the very near future, so keep checking back.
      • The managers thought she was up to something, after she kept screwing up repeatedly.
      • Like a gramophone stuck on a groove, he kept asking me why Wen shouted at him.
      • He kept repeating the same thing, that it had nothing to do with him.
      • It is important to keep looking to the future.
      • But as the Federal Reserve keeps raising rates, such buys become less attractive.
      Synonyms
      persist in, go on, keep on, carry on, continue, do something constantly, do something incessantly, do something continually, not stop doing something, persevere
    2. 2.2no object (of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition.
      hominy will keep almost indefinitely without spoilage
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Pasta will keep for months in the cupboard.
      • The nice thing about ginger is that it keeps well.
      • The mix keeps for two to three months at room temperature.
      • The batter keeps in the fridge for up to a month; when you're ready to enjoy, just pour it into a tin, bake and you've got a hot muffin in about 25 minutes.
      • It keeps very well if stood upright in a jug containing a little water, and refrigerated.
      • Shelf life varies from product to product, but most items will keep, if stored properly, for a minimum of one month.
      • This product does not keep, and is mainly produced in the autumn and winter.
    3. 2.3with object Retain one's place in or on (a seat or saddle, the ground, etc.) in spite of difficulty.
      can you keep your saddle, or shall I carry you on a pillion?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Her arms flailed up and around in a desperate and truly valiant bid to keep her seat.
      • She swayed from side to side upon the animal's broad back, and her ruddy face was redder than usual with the effort of keeping her seat.
      • Deirdre kept her ground and the clashing of metal against metal was heard as she blocked his attack.
      • Tamora kept her seat, one hand free to wield her sword with unnervingly good aim.
      • He kept his ground as his attacker walked towards him.
    4. 2.4British no object, with adverbial Be in a specified state of health.
      he had not been keeping well
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Mother kept very unwell the greater part of the way.
      • My mother did not keep very good health, so we had a charwoman who came in to do the cleaning.
      • For a man who spends so much time in the gym and out on the golf course, he contrives to keep remarkably poor health.
      • We have all been keeping well.
    5. 2.5with object and present participle Make (someone) do something for a period of time.
      I have kept her waiting too long
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She kept me waiting for what felt like an eternity but was probably about 15/20 minutes.
      • He kept me waiting at the counter, having forgotten that there was meant to be an author around.
      • My most sincere apologies for keeping you waiting so long!
      • He enters, apologises bluntly for keeping us waiting, and says he's extremely busy, so let's get on with it.
      • I was also glad that she hadn't kept me waiting since the sky was overcast and it was slightly chilly.
      • And keeping people waiting is part of what stardom is about, which is why he showed up over half an hour late without anyone seeming to mind.
      • He apologised for keeping me waiting (although it was our photographer who had delayed him) and swiftly swept away his papers to make way for me.
      • They then kept me waiting for 20 minutes while they obviously checked out my story.
      • The company kept us waiting for the better part of an hour, but finally their vehicle arrived.
      • The waitresses ran a fairly slick and professional service, neither keeping us waiting nor hovering for our orders before we were ready.
      • She could see he was upset so she walked up to him, hugged him and apologized for keeping him waiting.
      • They kept me waiting for nearly two hours and then I was taken into an office and told to empty my pockets.
      • I did not wish to anger the King any more by keeping him waiting.
      • I didn't want to be responsible for what might happen if I kept him waiting any longer.
      • I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was setting up a delicate experiment in the observatory.
      • That might not have mattered, except that they kept me waiting for about 20 minutes.
      • It's a habit he shares with many film producers: he keeps less important mortals waiting, and arrives an hour after our interview was scheduled.
      • He certainly kept us waiting but he got there in the end.
      • The man who created some of the most memorable images of the Sixties arrives early for his interview, then apologises for keeping me waiting.
      • You may have guessed that this is not the first time that he kept me waiting.
    6. 2.6with object Cause to be late; delay.
      I won't keep you, I know you've got a busy evening
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She smiled graciously and said, ‘I mustn't keep you’ and she was gone.
      • You must be quick, and not keep me long.
      • ‘I don't want to keep you,’ she apologized. ‘Guess you'd best get outside.’
      Synonyms
      detain, cause to stay, cause to wait, keep waiting, keep back, hold back, restrain
      delay, hold up, retard, make late, set back, slow down, slow up, hinder, obstruct, check, impede, block, hamper, constrain
    7. 2.7archaic Continue to follow (a path or course)
      the soldiers removed, keeping their course towards Jericho
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Still further westward on they keep their way.
      • They kept the track, and rolled off mile after mile before daylight in an effort to catch up to the leaders.
      • Our protection was speed and keeping a zig-zag course.
      • Keeping their course on the north side of the lake until they reached its head, they started up the mountain.
  • 3Provide for the sustenance of (someone)

    he had to keep his large family in the manner he had chosen
    Example sentencesExamples
    • It describes a man who has done everything he possibly can to save his job and keep his family in the way that they have expected to live.
    • My mother had to sell me as she could not afford to keep me any longer.
    • Mrs. Brown had been unable to keep her children and had given her two little girls away.
    • He worked hard to keep his family - like everybody else.
    • All the families of the O'Reilly's Club kept a player each in their home, cooked for them and looked after them well.
    Synonyms
    provide for, support, provide food for, provide sustenance for, provide board for, feed, keep alive, maintain, sustain, subsidize, finance
    take care of, look after, nurture, nourish
    1. 3.1 Provide (someone) with a regular supply of a commodity.
      the money should keep him in cigarettes for a week
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It is this large distribution network that keeps our first-hand bookshops in fresh stock.
      • There was Bill Amon who also kept bees and kept us supplied in honey - that's how I got my love of honey.
      • Apart from keeping us supplied with bread, fruit and hot drinks, the Prodive staff would change our cylinders for us, and I was impressed by the care they took with our cameras.
      • When Ellen was ill friends kept the family supplied with soup, eggs, jellies and wine.
      • Fred proved to be an excellent sponsor, keeping me stocked with all the spare parts I needed.
      • But, above all, it has kept me supplied with the materials essential to my trade as a historian.
      • But let's not forget the stores that kept the rest of Manchester's population in clothes.
      • Our stocks were wiped out on the first day and it was a full time job keeping the children supplied with their favourite which was bananas.
      • I can only hope she was kept well supplied with all the little comforts she missed.
      • His wife kept him supplied with beers and food, and there he sat, happy as a hippo in a waterhole.
      • You will also need a support team, involving two drivers to transport you and your equipment around the country as well as keeping the team supplied with plenty of food and water.
      • We always planted a ridge of turnips and a ridge of cabbage to keep us supplied with vegetables.
      • My mother keeps me well in stock of incense, candles, charcoal blocks, and altar covers.
    2. 3.2 Own and look after (an animal) for pleasure or profit.
      they raised pigs and kept a pony or two
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Twenty or so acres can be useful for keeping horses or ponies and does carry a certain prestige.
      • Most of his cattle, however, he keeps for milk production.
      • The fox hunters' problem is that, because keeping a horse is a pretty expensive activity, they were always seen as some sort of financial elite.
      • He also wants a proper pony track and stables for the local boys to keep their horses.
      • I know several families who keep a couple of horses each so that they can hunt during the season.
      • Mr England decided to convert the barn when the pressures on farming forced him to give up keeping pigs at his holding two years ago.
      • I remember a time when every farmer kept a pig or two for their own use.
      • Although it is true to say that keeping pigs as pets has been extremely popular, there are not as many pet pigs around at the moment according to a pig organisation.
      • Because of the presence of the tsetse fly, large animals such as cattle and goats are not kept.
      • She has kept her horse, Callie, which is the first she has owned, at the stables since September.
      • It is an active farm which keeps sheep, goats and pigs and produces cork and honey.
      • To increase his income, he kept sheep and cows, did spinning and acted as a labourer when other farmers needed help.
      • He keeps pigs, cattle and sheep and does not look after the animals himself, contracting out all the mucky work.
      • But the RSPCA and other leading animal welfare groups advise people not to keep exotic pets.
      • The foundation provides homes for retired racehorses and keeps horses at farms in ten states, including Kentucky, Florida, and New York.
      • They also kept sheep, goats and cattle to add milk, butter, cheese and meat to their diet.
      • The animal bones indicated that large quantities of sheep were kept, with some cattle and pig.
      • On the other side of the village is the Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm, which not only keeps birds of prey and Shetland ponies but also has meerkats, a couple of kookaburras, and a llama.
      • He had to cycle seven miles each way to the land where the sheep were kept.
      • He said Beale was now keeping chickens and pigs, of which there had been no complaints, as well as growing strawberries.
      Synonyms
      breed, rear, raise, farm
      own, have as a pet, keep as a pet, look after, tend
    3. 3.3 Own and manage (a shop or business)
      the big fellow keeps a fish shop near the post office
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Little Nell Trent lives in the gloomy atmosphere of the old curiosity shop kept by her grandfather, whom she tends with devotion.
      • Isaura and her husband kept a grocery nearby, and they often stayed there late in the evenings.
      • Tucked in a bazaar along a grimy street, he keeps a shop about the size of a toolshed.
      • Roger, of course, would rather take care of her and keep the shop, but puts on a cheerful face.
      • Jeremy had often told her that her father had been a merchant who kept shop near the barracks.
      Synonyms
      manage, run, own, be the proprietor of, be in charge of, administer, organize, direct, keep up, maintain, operate, look after, superintend
    4. 3.4 Guard; protect.
      his only thought is to keep the boy from harm
      Example sentencesExamples
      • We would do anything to keep them from danger.
      • You gave him a good life and kept him from pain.
      • We have spent almost 16 years keeping her from harm and helping her grow and now we have to sit back and watch this person come in and abuse her.
      • Traditional values are so perverted by slavery that Sethe is driven to murder her own daughter to keep her from slavery's horrors.
      Synonyms
      tend, look after, care for, take care of, mind, watch over, have charge of, be responsible for
      protect, keep safe, keep from harm, preserve, defend, guard, shield, shelter, safeguard, save
      preserve, protect, keep safe, afford protection to, guard, shield, shelter, save, safeguard, secure, defend
    5. 3.5 Support (someone, especially a woman) financially in return for sexual favours.
      he was keeping a woman on the side
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He was a clever sociopath who owned three properties and kept different women at each.
      • He kept another woman, by whom he had two children.
      • At one stage she was told no woman editor in London would touch her novel with a barge pole because it was so unfashionable to have a story about a kept woman.
  • 4Honour or fulfil (a commitment or undertaking)

    I'll keep my promise, naturally
    Example sentencesExamples
    • Four years after a South Yorkshire council was blasted for failing to work on stopping benefit fraud, it has come under fire again for not keeping its promises to improve.
    • We wanted to find out whether Britain and the West are keeping the pledges we made.
    • The men will not be allowed to leave the remote centre and must also keep a vow of complete silence for six months.
    • Meanwhile, the budget at the club has been slashed and the manager left because pledges were not kept.
    • Catherine always said that if she won the prize she would take her mother with her, so she has kept her promise.
    • Even as she said it, she knew that she could not guarantee herself that she would keep that oath.
    • The company kept its pledge to launch the services which will allow always-on internet access of over mobile handsets by the end of the year.
    • An irregular churchgoer before September, the woman who prayed for a miracle and got one is now keeping her end of the bargain.
    • She can leave home only to get to her office job, to keep legal or health appointments.
    • Pharmaceutical companies now had to keep their promises and negotiate honestly, she said.
    • However, if he also keeps the commitment to buy new helicopters from Eurocopter, this will mean that in a couple of years Bulgaria will have 36 machines.
    • ‘This is about keeping a commitment, delivering promises and being true to our convictions,’ he said.
    • This is the work not of months, but of years and keeping these commitments is essential to our future security.
    • It also results from engineers being conscientious people who are serious about keeping their commitments.
    • For all these years, I kept my promise and never looked into the box under our bed.
    • You took an oath to defend the nation, and you kept that oath overseas and under fire.
    • He represents a party that is short on policy, short on commitment, and seriously short on keeping any promises that it made during the election.
    • She was accused of failing to keep her promise to work with the aviation industry to improve the choice of destinations.
    • We've made foolish promises, and it wouldn't be right to overburden those future younger workers by keeping them.
    • How far am I expected to travel so you can say you kept your promise?
    Synonyms
    comply with, obey, respect, observe, conform to, abide by, stick to, act in accordance with, act according to, have regard to, heed, follow, pay attention to, defer to, take notice of
    fulfil, carry out, act on, make good, be bound by, honour, keep to, redeem, keep faith with, stand by, adhere to
    execute, discharge, perform
    rare effectuate
    1. 4.1 Observe (a religious occasion) in the prescribed manner.
      today's consumers do not keep the Sabbath
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Not once in the New Testament are we told to keep the Sabbath.
      • They were once so numerous that the town kept the feast of St Crispin on October 25, patron saint of cobblers.
      • Some kept all the Holy Days and some kept only Passover.
      Synonyms
      observe, respect, honour, hold sacred, recognize, acknowledge
      celebrate, mark, solemnize, ritualize, ceremonialize, commemorate
    2. 4.2 Pay due regard to (a law or custom)
      if you kept small rules, you could break the big ones
      Example sentencesExamples
      • If they kept these laws they were going to be victorious and happy in their promised land.
      • He thought that to be ‘good’ he had to keep the rules and respect the law of God.
      • Smaller, lighter and faster, it keeps the tradition of luxury.
      • We have kept that tradition for 1,600 years and we should be proud of it, he added.
      • Among ourselves, we keep the law but when we are operating in the jungle, we must also use the laws of the jungle.
      • Because no one keeps the whole Law, everyone who lives by the Law must be under a curse.
      • For Pharisees, holiness was achieved, in part, by rigorously keeping the law.
      • We can dedicate more resources to keep our traditions that might be lost otherwise.
      • Our experience in Ireland is that the only thing that really works in terms of drivers keeping the law is fear.
      • Thus far we have seen only part of what he meant when he said that Christians should keep the whole law.
      • Such a man obeys my commands and carefully keeps my laws.
      • The Gentiles or unbeliever is able to keep the moral law because they are made in the image of God.
      • According to my teachers, only Catholics who kept the commandments had a real shot at Heaven.
      • When we think of observing the law, of keeping the commandments, it is the will that first comes to mind.
      • We are free and tolerant in our private lives, but in public affairs we keep the law.
      • They were redeemed, not because they kept the law but because they received the promise.
      • Every week religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, and keep its laws and customs.
      • So for instance, the lyre bird is the storyteller of the bush, not only because it doesn't have a voice of its own, but because it keeps the law.
      • We are not saved by keeping the law, or by doing good works, or by adhering to church doctrine.
      • Paul and the Jesus of the gospels reject the belief that keeping the Jewish law is necessary for salvation.
      Synonyms
      observe, respect, honour, hold sacred, recognize, acknowledge
  • 5Make written entries in (a diary) on a regular basis.

    the master kept a weekly journal
    Example sentencesExamples
    • As a kid, or as a grown up, did you keep a diary writing up what you did everyday?
    • During World War II Anne Frank, a Jewish girl in Amsterdam, kept a diary of the time she lived in.
    • Ever since I decided to move into a new town, I thought keeping a diary of everyday events would be an interesting exercise.
    • Periodically Ian kept a diary, each entry scribbled in pencil.
    • So, turn off that TV and start keeping a diary, a journal or, best of all, a blog.
    • It is said that while he was inside, Watson kept a diary and that it may now be written up for publication.
    • You may not be used to keeping a diary or journal, and perhaps feel unsure of how to best start.
    • Like most working class children, he was illiterate and kept no diary or written record of his life.
    • From the age of four, when he was taught to write by his governess, he kept a diary.
    • There are many possible reasons for keeping a diary and they range from pathological nostalgia to a prudent desire to possess a record of work done and objectives accomplished.
    • I used to keep a paper journal back then.
    • Nicole used the site to write poems and kept a diary of her treatment there.
    • My mother, who died when I was born, kept a diary every day from her eleventh birthday until she married.
    • I kept a diary through much of my teenage years, although it was a bit intermittent.
    • He writes long letters to his estranged wife and keeps a diary.
    • This fascination with themselves results in keeping diaries or writing poetry.
    • Some of us remember keeping our own diary as children.
    • She also writes poetry and has kept a diary since she was 9 years-old.
    • I've been keeping this diary now for four months.
    • In a practice common among schizophrenics, he keeps a notebook, writing in hieroglyphs that are only comprehensible to him.
    1. 5.1 Write down as (a record)
      keep a note of each item
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He keeps a record of the news that has appeared about him in print.
      • The UK scheme keeps records for every employee's full working life.
      • They should also do head counts of students rather than relying on the false records kept by the company.
      • There are two things for me that we will discuss as a panel, as we will discuss absolutely everything, because we have kept a record of what you have said.
      • Employers must keep records for at least three years to show that workers were paid the national minimum wage.
      • World War Two veteran Mr Rogers, 81, has kept a written record of his complaints and says he is fed up with being overlooked.
      • We have a terrible time in keeping accurate records of community members.
      • It does not keep a record of how many households use the permits.
      • The gas firm was also found to have been keeping inadequate records of the state of its pipe distribution network.
      • The experts demanded to know whether they had been keeping proper records of their excavations.
      • As I always do when I travel, I kept a record of what we saw and did, but putting Iceland into words is not easy.
      • Pupils will be keeping an on-going record of the building work as it progresses.
      • In desperation, Novalee camps in the Wal-Mart store, keeping a tally of all the food and goods she has borrowed.
      • I would have to spend two or three nights a week on keeping records and form filling.
      • Most of my novels were written while I was in full-time employment, and I kept records of the amount of time I spent on them.
      • The children were asked to participate in the summer reading scheme and the library have kept a record of all books read.
      • During this era, people tended to write everything down and keep accurate records of events.
      • If the problem persists it is a good idea to keep a record of the frequency and type of disturbance.
      • She still keeps records charting every penny she spends and she is worried.
      • Owning a second home has its own tax consequences, and it is important to ensure proper, up-to-date records are kept.
noun kiːpkip
  • 1mass noun Food, clothes, and other essentials for living.

    the Society are paying for your keep
    Example sentencesExamples
    • That is why Greatwood is appealing for people to adopt one of the retired racehorses and contribute towards the cost of its keep.
    • For 10 shillings a week, plus his keep, Trevor worked on the moor where Mr Middlemiss had moor rights.
    • People like us who did without to own our house as a legacy for our children have our home taken off us if we have to go into care to pay for our keep.
    • Many men returned to work on the mills every season for many years as they got a regular wage and their keep.
    • They had their pay and their keep and were given a quarter of a sheep to take home to feed their families.
    • At least this way they pay for their crimes and contribute something towards the cost of their keep.
    • Occasionally. in those days, some would be paid a wage but mostly they would work for their keep and a little pocket money.
    • If they were, then they would have been earning their keep and fending for themselves, like everyone else is supposed to do.
    Synonyms
    maintenance, upkeep, support, sustenance, subsistence, board, board and lodging, food, nourishment, nurture
    living, livelihood, means
    1. 1.1 The cost of the essentials for living.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • These people are entitled to protection and should not be forced to earn their keep.
      • He organizes his charges to defuse land mines in order to earn their keep.
      • While earning his keep as a waiter in Covent Garden, Norton took a place at Central School of Art and Drama.
      • But to our ancestors, kids were an addition to the family workforce and had to earn their keep.
      • He earned his keep in university by running a bookmaking operation out of his back pocket.
      • It wasn't a woman's place to own a farm, but a girl was expected to earn her keep by working on the family farm.
      • He earned his keep cleaning the shoes and rooms of upper-class students.
      • Work was to be created for those who were sufficiently fit to be able to contribute towards their own keep.
      • For the next four decades Norris usually earned his keep working as a fisherman.
      • He would have played in the first team, coached the kids and earned his keep by working behind the bar and on the ground.
      • Once upon a time we may have been loss leaders; but now, we are expected to earn our keep.
      • Even Web sites with a noble mission to restore a sense of community now have to earn their keep.
      • Now they have to earn their keep - and, as far as we are concerned, they are not doing so.
  • 2archaic mass noun Charge; control.

    if from shepherd's keep a lamb strayed far
    Example sentencesExamples
    • I was filled with gratitude that these beautiful children are in my keep.
    Synonyms
    safe keeping, care, custody, charge, possession, trust, protection, safeguard
  • 3The strongest or central tower of a castle, acting as a final refuge.

    Example sentencesExamples
    • This Great Hall was the social centre for the inhabitants of the inner keep.
    • In stone keep castles, keeps were much higher than any other part of the castle.
    • Kids will love the medieval keep, with its spiral staircases, and dim lighting.
    • Whereas motte and bailey castles were surrounded by a wooden fence, the stone keeps could rely on outer walls made of stone (curtain walls).
    • It is crowned with a stone shell keep of about 1300, which replaced a timber predecessor.
    • In a few places great stone keeps were begun, best known of which is the Tower of London.
    • The never completed keep is a great round tower divided by a moat from the inner curtain that curves inward to avoid it.
    • Its most remarkable feature is that the large keep is itself protected by further curtain walls.
    • She had been stuck in that horrible keep for the last four years of her life.
    • Manors and even small keeps abound in the highlands, not tourist attractions but still noble family estates.
    • The keep in stone encircled from the full water ditch that we see today was built at this time.
    • Even the gateways leading into old keeps and castles don't escape the over-enthusiasm of some amateur restorers.
    Synonyms
    fortress, fort, stronghold, tower, donjon, castle, citadel, bastion, fortification, fastness
    archaic hold, dungeon

Phrases

  • you can't keep a good man (or woman) down

    • informal A competent person will always recover well from setbacks.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • He had a bad day at the office on Monday, but you can't keep a good man down for long.
      • But you know what they say - you can't keep a good man down.
      • Attorney General John Ashcroft rushed back from gall-bladder surgery this week - you can't keep a good man down - to announce that the Department of Justice will set up a special Intellectual Property Task Force.
      • There's an age old adage however that says you can't keep a good man down, and while even some of his closest allies feared that defeat would end his career in public life Oliver Coffey had other ideas.
      • We should have known that you can't keep a good man down.
      • But you can't keep a good man down: Jack got on that plane and contested the Vegas tournaments with two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a metal plate in his wrist.
      • Like they say, you can't keep a good man down and the cream always rises to the top.
      • He was on the receiving end of three pushes but you can't keep a good man down.
      • It's true that McNabb started the 2003 season in horrible fashion, but you can't keep a good man down forever, especially when he has the moves and the arm of this quarterback.
      • Well, you can't keep a good man down and he's back, again.
  • for keeps

    • informal Permanently; indefinitely.

      they'll have to give us the trophy for keeps if we win it again
      Example sentencesExamples
      • If an individual has won refugee status, that is theirs for keeps unless they break the law.
      • I was tempted to ask if she'd like to stay for keeps.
      • But once the final payment has gone, the car is yours for keeps.
      • If there had been any doubt, however, he now knows he is not there for keeps.
      • One has to use a nearby church hall for classes: the other has reverted to portable buildings in the playground that they hoped had gone for keeps.
      • My life's been hard, I don't trust people easily, but when I do, it's for keeps.
      • Well, as the saying goes - wherever it came from in the first place - if you love someone, set her free; if she comes back to you, she is for keeps, if not, it was never meant to be.
      • It's symptomatic of this disposable mentality society where nothing's for keeps and everything can be changed.
      • Once they are married, however, it's usually for keeps.
      • I think she went into that marriage for keeps, and it's taken her a long time to get to the stage where she realises that the other person didn't.
      Synonyms
      forever, for ever, for all time, for ever and ever, for always, once and for all, for good, for good and all, permanently, in perpetuity
  • keep one's feet

    • Manage not to fall.

      on the planked railway crossing she stumbled, but kept her feet
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Players were finding it very hard to keep their feet.
      • A few of the players were not keeping their feet, but it was better once we got used to it.
      • She almost tripped over herself, but managed to keep her feet.
      • Outside the harbor, the waves were high enough that we had to grip the bowlines to keep our feet.
      • He can take on two or three people and, when you think he's going to lose balance, somehow keep his feet and beat the goalkeeper.
      • He managed to keep his feet for a few seconds, then tumbled forward into the dirt.
      • It's hard enough to keep your feet with only a pack and a rifle on your back.
      • I kept my feet and met her straight on as she came at me.
      • Unable to keep his feet, he fell backward, into the icy cold water of the bay.
      • Jessie managed to keep her feet and offered him a hand back up.
  • keep goal

    • Act as a goalkeeper.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • As a young keeper with Preston he was earmarked as one of the brightest prospects outside the Premiership with one national magazine going as far as predicting that he would be keeping goal for England at the 2008 World Cup.
      • Project manager for the event, Nick Lodge, put his football skills to the test by keeping goal in a penalty shoot-out.
      • If your job is to keep goal for a high-profile team you have to be prepared to take the criticism.
      • The former pupil of St Christopher's High School, Accrington, has won scholarships to play in America and now keeps goal for Everton FC.
      • By this Christmas he will have been five years keeping goal with Rangers, a span that will equal that of Chris Woods.
  • keep going

    • Make an effort to live normally in spite of difficulty.

      she had to keep going for the sake of her boys
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It definitely gives us the confident start we need to keep going and continue to be healthy.
      • She suffered quite badly with heart problems recently but she kept going.
      • Through all of this he kept going and now the new school is ready to open.
      • We could have kept going, but we would have just got worse and worse as time went on.
      • He kept going through decidedly lean periods by remaining true to himself as a player and a person.
      • With much determination in our eyes and sweat on our brows, we kept going.
      • Through rich and more barren times, he has kept going, backing up his albums with frequent touring.
      • Even when the equipment started melting, and they got burns to their arms, they kept going.
  • keep it real

    • informal Be genuine, unaffected, or honest.

      whatever you do, keep it real
      he kept it real and I found him charming
  • keep to oneself

    • Avoid contact with others.

      they kept to themselves and were a source of mystery and speculation
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Neighbours said he kept to himself but would always say hello.
      • She said her brother, the eldest of nine children, was a man who kept to himself.
      • They have been avoiding the whole Los Angeles scene, preferring to keep to themselves.
      • I kept to myself for most of the morning, hoping to avoid everyone else.
      • He spoke with a few villagers but mostly kept to himself.
      • I had the attacks several times a month and tried desperately to prevent them by keeping to myself and avoiding any social situations.
      • Living as she did in a colony where the neighbors kept to themselves, she was virtually a prisoner within her home.
      • ‘They were genuinely nice, kept to themselves and were always seen out walking together,’ said one local.
      • The younger ones, by contrast, kept to themselves more, talking intensely in quiet voices and casting a chilly eye on strangers.
      • Hidden from civilisation and resisting all attempts at contact, they had kept to themselves.
  • keep something to oneself

    • Refuse to disclose or share something.

      he was determined to keep the information to himself
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She was pregnant, but kept the information to herself.
      • Often we artists are a solitary lot, preferring to keep our work to ourselves until we deem it fit for sharing.
      • Rachael kept the dream to herself and never shared it with anyone.
      • If it is a view shared by staff and players, they are keeping it to themselves.
      • I think our intelligence officers have the information but they keep it to themselves.
      • He kept his disappointments to himself, a quiet murmur of disapproval usually being as far as it went.
      • If he had negative opinions, he usually kept them to himself.
      • She kept it to herself, because it was too hard to share.
      • Until recently, the common practice of governments was still to keep all information to themselves.
      • If they had troubles, they kept them to themselves, setting a pattern for the rest of their lives.

Phrasal Verbs

  • keep someone after

    • Make a pupil stay at school after normal hours as a punishment.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • And, anyway, if a teacher was gonna keep him after, he'd rather it be Mr. Silurian than anyone else.
      • ‘Where's Lily?’ she vaguely heard Christian ask. Natalie sighed. ‘Mrs. Wilcox kept her after.’
      • If you were in his last class of the day he'd keep the whole class after.
  • keep at (or keep someone at)

    • Persist (or force someone to persist) with.

      it was the best part of a day's work but I kept at it
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I'd get to these points where I wanted to stop but he kept me at it.
      • I think they're all very smart people, that are very good at something a lot of people can't even comprehend, and I think that kind of drive keeps them at what they do.
      • He was dedicated, and he was focused, and he kept at it year after year after year.
      • The job would get done, if we kept at it.
      • I kept at the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until I heard the doorbell ring and a policeman came in.
      Synonyms
      persevere with, persist with, be persistent in, keep going with, keep on at, be pertinacious in, show determination in, be resolute in, be steadfast in, not give up, not cease from, not falter in, carry on with, press on with, work away at, continue with, see through, struggle on with
  • keep away (or keep someone away)

    • Stay away (or make someone stay away)

      keep away from the edge of the cliff
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The fact is, you were kept away from the public for two years.
      • I have kept him away from mirrors so he could not see how bad it was.
      • After the airport reception, the contestants were whisked to their hotel where they have been kept away from the press.
      • It's hard enough to try to raise your kids right and keep them away from drugs without someone slipping this into my kids' daily round of subliminal nudging.
      • Although his record promotions and concert tours kept Joe away from Ireland a lot, he never forgot his home following and played the dancehall circuit to capacity audiences throughout the 80s.
      • His father taught him at home and kept him away from children his age.
      • Parents took their children out of classes last Tuesday and kept them away for the rest of the week in protest against the school's dilapidated condition.
      • Shopping online or by mail order keeps you away from some of the holiday's most aggravating situations - crowded stores and streets.
      • Another pastime that has kept me away from the keyboard is a fascinating book I've been reading.
      • In fact the Orange parade used to gather at the bottom of our road and my mother even kept us away from the window.
      Synonyms
      stay away, keep away, be absent, withdraw, retire, take one's leave, remove oneself, slip away, take oneself off, abscond
  • keep back (or keep someone/something back)

    • Remain (or cause someone or something to remain) at a distance.

      he had kept back from the river when he could
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Police cordoned off the area to keep people back and the bus station remained closed following the accident.
      • The water had risen too high, and the levees just were not strong enough to keep it back.
      • Cardiff fans were segregated at the match, and afterwards kept back while Leeds fans dispersed.
      • The captain of the Carpathia, however, had heard ‘no such stories’ about men being kept back from the lifeboats at gunpoint.
      • Standing, he meant to go after the man, but Brad laid a gentle but restraining hand on his shoulder, keeping him back.
      • He was escorted by more than 50 police officers back to the community to re-enact the crime, but there were not enough officers to keep back the angry crowd who wanted immediate revenge.
      • The media cordon is set up relatively close to the building, stepping back, keeping us back only about 50 to 75 metres.
      • It was lucky that the windows are double-glazed as they kept back the flames for a few minutes.
      • They were kept back by hundreds of police.
      • He tried to get in again, covering his face with a T-shirt, but again the flames kept him back.
  • keep someone back

    • Make a pupil repeat a year at school because of poor marks.

      she had been kept back a year
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Kids who fail the test are kept back a grade.
      • Consider keeping him back a year in school to allow him more time to develop the underlying abilities that he may need to avoid making him overly frustrated.
      • His sister, also a sophomore (because she had been kept back in grade school), has a 3.6 GPA and is a leader in her Bible-studies group.
      • I have had many students who have been kept back a year, and they have had great success.
      • Authority's remedy, if you spent too much time out of the stream in one year, was to keep you back a class.
      • Teachers threatened to keep kids back a year if they failed… and they did?
  • keep something back

    • 1Retain or withhold something.

      he kept back £5 for himself
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The blunder was made in calculating how much of the grant should go to schools and how much kept back for administration.
      • District councillors have blamed central government cutbacks for the rise, as newly introduced funding ‘ceilings’ mean money has been kept back from many local councils.
      • So far everything we've kept back will have a place in the next house, even if only once a year, like Christmas decorations.
      • Patrick Scott, York's director of education, said it was tempting to assume funding was being kept back, but he suspected the truth was more complicated.
      • Martin said some pupils had still not received their report cards, which were being kept back because they had failed to pay their school fees.
      • Emergency services made arrangements with garages for supplies to be kept back specially for their vehicles.
      • Although this was the amount of rations laid down by law some of the shady crews often kept back food for to sell when they reached shore.
      • They have always been told that insurance companies kept back some profits from the good years to compensate for the bad ones.
      • When the pasta is ready, drain through a colander - keeping back a bit of the water - and tip immediately onto the egg yolk- and Parmesan mix, and ensuring that 1-2 tbsp of the cooking water goes with it.
      • The profit kept back for the firm, after tax, was just £4.48m.
      Synonyms
      reserve, keep in reserve, put by, save, save up, store up, put aside, lay aside, set aside, hoard, treasure
      1. 1.1Decline to disclose something.
        she might be willing to give me the details she had kept back from Ann
        Example sentencesExamples
        • He has also discovered, through his relationship with Moore and their subsequent break-up, that he needs to keep something back.
        • Sorry mum, every daughter keeps a few things back y'know…
        • He denied he kept back the Ernst and Young report because he did not agree with some of its findings.
        • And even if directors were found to have wrongly kept back information they could not be fined, Sir Howard said.
        • I have a feeling they're keeping something back for a second series.
        • You know, you have to watch the behaviors, too, and see if they seem to be keeping something back.
        • And yet, and yet… something of yourself should always be kept back in the cop game.
        • I've kept this post back for a long time and altered a few key details, just in case my employers think they can identify us and use this blog as a stick with which to beat me.
        Synonyms
        conceal, keep secret, keep hidden, hide, withhold, suppress, keep quiet about, not tell, not reveal, not divulge, hush up
  • keep down

    • Stay hidden by crouching or lying down.

      Keep down! There's someone coming
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The building was full of smoke, so I held my breath, kept down low and squirted the contents of the extinguisher.
      • ‘Keep down, and don't even breathe!’ I whispered.
      • I'm much taller than the children on the field and they keep hissing at me to keep down.
      • As we neared the shore we were ordered to keep down to avoid getting wounded should the enemy start shelling the incoming craft.
  • keep someone down

    • 1Make a pupil repeat a year at school because of poor marks.

      is a child who fails a year test to be kept down?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I was that disruptive in class that they kept me down a level.
      • It is extended to students somewhat forcibly, to attend morning school during the long vacation to avoid being kept down the following year.
      • Unfortunately, by comparison with the other students, I was quite backward, and so bad at mathematics in particular that I was kept down an entire year.
      • I was kept down at school 3 years in a row.
    • 2Cause someone to remain in a state of oppression or subjection.

      one day, it would be impossible that fine people like Philip would be kept down
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Work is shown as unremitting drudgery, keeping us down and continually reminding us of our essential failure.
      • He was out there to prove that nothing was going to keep him down and full credit to him.
      • Even an investigation by the Inland Revenue's special compliance unit and a brain tumour could not keep him down.
      • I used to think that all women, like most men, were kept down by the evil capitalists who controlled the country, but I never saw myself as carrying this oppressive gene.
      • We are in no way an underdog province beneath the thumb of a national environment ministry bent on keeping us down.
      • This was never out of any desire to see women treated with respect as equals - rather it was one way of keeping us down.
      • He's ticked off because he's being robbed and humiliated right now, kept down by poverty and the lack of a level playing field.
      • Stop whining about how the system is keeping you down!
      • We live in a negative world where we are constantly bombarded with bad news, hurtful gossip and sometimes people we hold in high regard trying to keep us down all the time.
      • Yes, we're suffering, yes, we're on our knees, but you're not going to keep us down.
      Synonyms
      keep in subjection, keep in submission, hold down, keep down, keep under one's thumb, subdue, subject, suppress, repress, oppress, tyrannize over, tyrannize
  • keep something down

    • 1Cause something to remain at a low level.

      the population of aphids is normally kept down by other animals
      Example sentencesExamples
      • On the positive side, Bulgarian resourcefulness in recycling and reuse has kept down the volume of waste.
      • He said that prices will be kept down even if it meant forgoing some profit.
      • They want flexible design, but staff costs kept down.
      • One other way that the cost of living could be kept down is by Government refraining from increasing taxes of any kind.
      • More pay for women, better childcare and better quality workers through continuous training are the keys to keeping down unemployment in Ireland.
      • They had kept the noise down to an acceptable level.
      • We are keeping down congestion levels and increasing dramatically the number of people who travel by public transport.
      • He said the fares were being kept down to reasonable levels despite the steep increase in petrol prices.
      • The average occupancy is nine months and intensive management is the key to our success in keeping down the number of empty flats.
      • Like all the other high street retailers it was striving to cut costs to keep prices down and remain competitive.
    • 2Retain food or drink in one's stomach without vomiting.

      all I could keep down was water
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She eventually lost her voice and couldn't keep any food down.
      • Mild nausea and occasional vomiting aren't a threat to your baby's health as long as you're able to keep some food down and drink plenty of fluids.
      • He was thirsty, but couldn't keep the water down after he drank it.
      • I managed to keep the food down but didn't feel any better until I had a couple of bottles of beer early evening.
      • His stomach had barely kept the coffee down that morning.
      • I can feel his upper body tense up as he's fighting to keep the food down, and pass him a glass of water.
      • His stomach is a bit irritable, but he's kept down macaroni and cheese and some pretzels.
      • She had been sick before but when I rang last night they said she had kept her food down and I was able to speak to her and she seems all right.
      • You're cold and tired because your blood pressure is low and you've been unable to keep any food down.
      • The child could keep no food down, and grew weaker by the day.
      Synonyms
      digest, keep down, find palatable, manage to consume, manage to eat, swallow
  • keep from (or keep someone from)

    • Avoid (or cause someone to avoid) doing something.

      Dinah bit her lips to keep from screaming
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Health problems kept him from traveling.
      • Still, one wonders what has kept Faber from producing a paperback edition for so long.
      • Their parents, too, reported that the children's oral health problems kept them from playing with other kids and disrupted their sleep.
      • Parents who speak in complete sentences will have children, by and large, who will do so, especially if they are kept from watching television and motion pictures.
      • For example, it is particularly striking that almost half of the Hispanic Spanish speakers in this study believed that the two-way program kept them from dropping out of school.
      • I can't recall ever actually watching a sunrise, and I guess technically I didn't see one yesterday since the rain clouds kept us from actually seeing the sun at all.
      • If you're over 40, you remember how you thought inflation would keep you from ever finding a job.
      • It's sort of like this snorting sound - loud enough to keep us from ever sleeping again, yet quiet enough not to wake the neighborhood.
      • Avoiding the person will keep you from reinforcing the feelings you have toward them.
      • This process was a valuable tool in breaking through the walls that kept them from understanding themselves.
      Synonyms
      refrain from, stop oneself, restrain oneself from, prevent oneself from, manage not to, forbear from, resist the temptation to, forgo, avoid
      prevent, stop, hinder, impede, hamper
  • keep something from

    • 1Cause something to remain a secret from (someone)

      now you know what your mother tried to keep from you
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He kept the secret from his family until the final show was broadcast.
      • Then I realized that not telling you would be the same as lying if I deliberately kept something from you.
      • I had no idea what he had in mind and everyone kept the secret from me.
      • Most teens/pre-teens spend a great deal of time keeping secrets from their parents.
      • They understand that shared knowledge is much more powerful than if it is kept from the larger group.
      • Don't you think you've kept enough secrets from me?
      • He was her best friend, and they never kept secrets from each other.
      • I told the mother the first thing in the morning, but we kept it from the children as long as we could.
      • She's kept something from her, on purpose, because she was afraid it would change what she thinks of her.
      • My daughter pierced her belly button without permission and kept it from me until I discovered it by accident.
      Synonyms
      keep secret, keep hidden, hide, conceal, withhold, hush up, not tell, suppress, censor, redact
    • 2Cause something to stay out of.

      she could not keep the dismay from her voice
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She kept the sadness from her eyes as she answered him with a kiss.
      • Em was hard pressed to keep the grin from her face as she watched him go.
      • Francesca nodded slowly, trying desperately to keep the laughter from her voice.
      • Dirk spoke haltingly, trying to keep the unfettered emotion from his voice.
  • keep in with

    • Remain on good terms with (someone)

      he was simply trying to keep in with his friends
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I'd better keep in with everyone because I wouldn't like to be fighting for my place with this great minor team coming up.
      • People who are entitled to more don't take it because they think they must keep in with the boss.
      • The strike was not held back by the desire to keep in with Labour.
      • She would always be very decent to you, and would keep in with all the right people politically, but you always ended up wondering how much you could trust her.
      • Rebecca is a meek young girl who tries to keep in with all her colleagues.
      • I think I shall keep my vote secret the better to keep in with incompatible groups of friends and out with incompatible groups of enemies.
      • Jack opened an exhibition at the Castle on the life of James the Sixth; he'll do anything to keep in with the Royals.
      • I have an RNLI Mastercard - they are important people to keep in with if you live somewhere that you can only get to by boat.
      • It's quite normal for teenagers to want to keep in with friends - and to do things that help them belong to the group.
      • She was contemptuous of him knowing the right answer but acting dumb to keep in with his mates.
  • keep someone in

    • Confine someone indoors or in a particular place.

      he should be kept in overnight for observation
      Example sentencesExamples
      • An ambulance took the child to the hospital, where she was kept in for observation overnight.
      • Everyone has kept their children in today, they are so shocked and can't see why it has happened.
      • Since that first episode, my sister has been sectioned six times - the last time was the worst, when she was kept in for seven months, including Christmas, new year and, most heartbreakingly of all, her 30th birthday.
      • He later went to North Manchester General Hospital where he was kept in overnight for observation.
      • They were worried that he might have damaged a joint so wanted to keep him in overnight.
      • But on arriving at the hospital the pain eased, and doctors decided to keep her in for 48 hours to check on her condition.
      • He was kept in for tests and an X-ray.
      • The doctors decided to keep him in overnight because they were worried about the injury to his eye.
      • They got her under control, got the insulin levels stable and kept her in for a day or so to make sure all was well.
      • The woman was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she has been kept in for observation.
  • keep something in

    • Restrain oneself from expressing a feeling.

      he wanted to make me mad, but I kept it all in
      Example sentencesExamples
      • My mother used booze and drugs to deal with her anger and my father kept his anger in.
      • I keep my sadness in, when it probably would feel better to get it out.
      • Usually, I can manage to keep it all in. At most, I’ll let a few tears trickle down my cheeks.
  • keep off

    • 1Avoid encroaching on or touching.

      you don't have to keep off land during the stalking season
      Example sentencesExamples
      • We took a route that kept off the main road as much as possible from Rozel on, and we passed the Neolithic Dolmen de Couperon before reaching St Catherine's Bay.
      • The Foreign Office has advised Britons against travelling to Bolivia, and warned those already in the country to keep off the streets, not to travel, and to avoid any demonstrations.
      • We must promote football by keeping off the grass and not trampling on ethics.
      • We don't want the sort of garden where children can't kick a ball or have to keep off the grass.
      • All this time farmers have been ranting at walkers about keeping off their land: and here they are, not even cleaning their own farm vehicles properly.
      • I think like with any big city, as long as you keep off the old side streets at night, you're OK.
      • Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire County Council have been working together to contact travellers and tell them to keep off the field until next week.
      • Ready Mix Concrete, which owns Chigborough Lakes, near Drapers Lane, has put up signs advising people to keep off land close to the lakes near Drapers Farm.
      • Organisers and government officials in the period prior to the Games tried to encourage as many Sydneysiders as possible to leave the city, or failing that to keep off the roads, in order to streamline transport to Olympic events.
      • Because of the presence of asbestos, fire fighters had largely kept off the factory site, and surrounded the fire instead using water jets.
      Synonyms
      stay off, not enter, keep away from, stay away from, not trespass on, remain at a distance from, not go near
      1. 1.1Avoid consuming or smoking.
        the first thing was to keep off alcohol
        Example sentencesExamples
        • I have kept off the alcohol today to make sure I didn't miss anything.
        • Declining the offer Seán had, ‘given up the drink for Lent and was keeping off it until after the election.’
        • He told her: ‘If you have kept off alcohol, not committed any offences and complied with the services, the worst that will happen to you will be a probation order.’
        • Mr Jack said he had kept off heroin and out of trouble since 1999.
        • Just keep off the drink until after you've filed.
        • She has kept off alcohol, except for one slip, and that is a great achievement for someone who has suffered alcohol abuse problems for many years.
        • He added: ‘I gave up smoking last May and decided I needed an incentive to keep off the ciggies and took up running.’
        Synonyms
        abstain from, go without, do without, renounce, refrain from, give up, forgo, forswear, resist, turn aside from, swear off, not touch
      2. 1.2Avoid (a subject)
        keep off delicate subjects whilst at work
        Example sentencesExamples
        • They tried to keep off the subject of Hunter's mother by talking about the exam and what they were going to do on Saturday for Halloween but it was difficult.
        • If the patient is not inclined to discuss her ailment, keep off the topic.
        • He had perked up and we got the impression that, provided we kept off politics, we could have stayed and chewed the fat all afternoon.
        • He kept off the core issues he usually loves to talk about and confined himself to cursory remarks.
        • if you kept off sensitive subjects she was normal and charming.
        • As a result, the government is now taking a circuitous route and trying to avoid those controversial subjects by keeping off the topic or delaying the discussions.
        • He would goof off, smile, horse around, do anything to keep off the subject, but I could tell.
        Synonyms
        avoid, steer clear of, stay away from, shun, evade, skirt round, sidestep, dodge, pass over, bypass
    • 2(of bad weather) fail to occur.

      the rain kept off until we boarded our coach
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The rain kept off and the day went really well.
      • I'll be watching the game tonight, I hope the bad weather keeps off.
      • ‘I just hope that the rain is going to keep off,’ she said.
      • Even the weather managed to behave itself, with the rain keeping off until the judging was well over.
      • And the rain did keep off… indeed for most of the week the rain kept off.
      Synonyms
      stay away, hold off, not start, not begin, not come, not happen
  • keep someone/something off

    • Prevent someone or something from encroaching on or touching.

      keep your hands off me
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It keeps kids off the streets and gives them a bit of exercise.
      • Umbrellas made as much of a style statement as hats, bags and shoes yesterday as racegoers battled to keep off the rain.
      • It covers the windshield keeping off ice, frost and snow sparing you from scraping your windows clean.
      • The summer is when you really need centres such as this kept open as it keeps children off the streets.
      • A lens cap not only guards against scratching, but also keeps off dirt and fingerprints, which can also reduce sharpness and contrast.
      • If we persist in demonising young people - portraying them as trouble-makers who need to be kept off our streets - we shouldn't be surprised if some of them, at least, turn out to be demons.
      • So much good work has been done by the locals that it is vital, from now on, that all forms of litter are kept off the roadway and that the flower beds and baskets are maintained at their best.
      • Large vans and lorries are kept off by a concrete and bollard bottleneck barrier.
      • Many stops along the way have no shelters whatsoever, while those available are often inadequate, with limited seating and insufficient cover to keep off a shower of rain.
      • I used to walk up and down the aisle passing sweets along the rows and making sure they kept their feet off the seats.
  • keep someone off

    • Prevent someone from attending (school)

      how long should children be kept off school for mumps?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • His childhood is mainly marked by the fact that he suffered from very bad asthma, which still affects him, and so was kept off school a lot.
      • In these cases parents were advised that their children should be in school and it is an offence to keep them off without good reason.
      • Children with chickenpox must be kept off school when they are infectious, and avoid contact with anyone who is pregnant.
      • My mum found out and kept me off school for 2 weeks as she could not get an appointment with the headmaster.
      • She argued that if she kept her child off school one day a week, she could face legal proceedings.
      • Unions estimated that up to 60% of teachers would join the strike, the seventh walkout by school staff in industrial action that has kept some children off school for weeks and disrupted exams.
      • Infected children should be kept off school until their temperature is normal again.
      • She has now kept James off school for seven weeks and is trying to get him into a new school.
      • Children are kept off school because ‘mum can't get out of bed in the morning’.
      • Parents are furious that their children are being kept off school, and there have already been threats of legal action against the authority.
  • keep on

    • Continue to do something.

      he kept on moving
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I thought it odd that he kept on going into the soft dunes and not on the harder sand near the water.
      • He was challenged by police and ordered to put the weapon down but kept on walking.
      • I have always been a bit slow on the uptake, and I just kept on looking at the board and waiting for it to make sense.
      • I kept on waiting until my tummy began to complain and then I shucked on my coat and went out to investigate.
      • We just let him play in the morning for a while, but he kept on asking when his dad was coming to take him out for presents.
      • When she was younger, I kept on telling her to elope and then return to tell everyone she was married.
      • This was January and I was positive I would be dead by March if I kept on taking drugs.
      • He kept on falling over and he got kicked in the ribs, and once in the head.
      • Aware of all the falsity and all the impossibility of the situation, he still kept on applauding!
      • She kept on trying to talk to me in English even if her vocabulary was pretty limited.
      Synonyms
      continue, go on, carry on, persist in, persevere in, keep going with
  • keep on about

    • Speak about (something) repeatedly.

      they kept on about negotiating an end to the war
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Haley's friend apologised but Bradley kept on about it so Haley told him to stop moaning and get on with his game.
      • That old man kept on about how the Puerto Ricans were coming around ruining his neighborhood, he had no idea that his real enemy was me.
      • I still haven't checked my cupboards for this damn contaminated food my Mother keeps on about.
      • I told him he ought to just ask her to dinner or something, but he kept on about how he was going to have to impress her.
      • The preamble kept on about how many Stop the War demonstrations there had been in Trafalgar Square, unquestionably assuming that all right-thinking people would be of the same opinion.
      • ‘We keep on about needing to do things for young people affordable housing, skate parks but we don't deliver,’ he said.
      • But my Uncle was insistent and kept on about it being bizarre me wearing it.
      • So does she get upset when journalists keep on about it?
      • She kept on about how they go drinking and how much fun they have on the beach at night.
      • Everyone keeps on about a new start for the New Year but I just feel sluggish and in desperate need of a major make-over.
      Synonyms
      talk constantly, talk endlessly, talk repeatedly, keep talking, go on, go on talking, go on and on, dwell on the subject, refer to repeatedly, repeat oneself, ramble on, rant on
  • keep on at

    • Annoy (someone) by making frequent requests.

      he'd kept on at her, wanting her to go out with him
      Example sentencesExamples
      • His wife kept on at him to get rid of it, so he did the next best thing and buried the bike, sidecar and all.
      • All of my friends had girlfriends and kept on at me to find one myself, but I never looked at girls like that.
      • I was cleaning the car as he said, but he kept on at me, finding fault.
      • We need to keep on at people to encourage them to remember to be responsible.
      • We just keep on at them until they get fed up and do something.
      • I keep on at the players to listen, practice, work hard and take it on to the pitch in every game.
      • She'd keep on at me to get it done straight away and I couldn't see the point.
      • He just kept on at me the whole time, trying to pressure me and get me to go back to the business and leave hospital.
      • My dad keeps on at me about getting better marks at school, but wants me to help around the house.
      • We will keep on at them until they release financial figures which they promised in the first place.
      Synonyms
      nag, go on at, keep at, harp on at, badger, chivvy, harass, hound, bully, pester, scold
  • keep someone/something on

    • Continue to use or employ someone or something.

      am I legally obliged to keep on the insurance?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He was made a political correspondent and was kept on by the Telegraph when it took over the Morning Post.
      • Most of the people he used to work with have been made redundant, but David has been kept on because he's brilliant at his job.
      • The 21 workers were kept on so the firm could be sold as a going concern by the receivers.
      • There were 24 redundancies, although seven people were kept on by the administrators to retain the pallet area.
      • A small number have been kept on to tie up loose ends before it permanently closes its doors next month.
      • In industries that were not heavily unionised, however, some women were kept on - not least because they were cheaper to employ than men.
      • We've heard of other companies where, when contracts expired, people were kept on.
      • Only 31 people have been kept on, to continue with its manufacturing operations until a new owner is found.
      • Forty workers were kept on to keep the business going until a sale was secured.
      • The worker who lost his job said: ‘In January we were all assessed as to whether we would be kept on by the company - in effect reapplying for our jobs.’
      Synonyms
      continue to employ, keep employing, carry on employing, retain in one's service, not dismiss, not sack, keep in one's employ, retain the services of
  • keep out (or keep someone/something out)

    • Remain (or cause someone or something to remain) outside.

      cover with cheesecloth to keep out flies
      Example sentencesExamples
      • They also use screening and filtration to keep insects out of rooms and sticky strips to catch those that do get in.
      • Do we (the paying spectator) have to pay for yet another fence to keep us out of an area that we previously had access to?
      • Even the parts that are fenced don't keep them out all the time.
      • Screens are good for keeping the bugs out, but they won't protect your kids.
      • He was a motorbiking enthusiast who kept a Rottweiler and had erected barbed wire around part of his garden fence to keep intruders out.
      • We had the doors open most of the day, with mesh screens to keep the bugs out and the cats in.
      • A fence keeps people out, but you can still see the massive shell of the tree, and imagine its beauty, from the road.
      • Now the nursery needs to find funding for a new metal fence to keep the thugs out.
      • Screening windows and doors helps keep flies out of milk barns, pig parlors and homes.
      • When the gang threatened to park their caravans in the car park until they were paid, Mr Coates and members of the church put up a fence to keep them out.
      Synonyms
      exclude, deny access to, shut out, debar, disbar, bar, ban, prohibit, put an embargo on, embargo
  • keep to

    • 1Avoid leaving (a path, road, or place)

      I didn't have his faith in the traffic, so I kept to the edge of the kerb
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Near the folly, a sign reads ‘Danger please keep to path, dangerous crevasses’.
      • Keep to the main access road which bears right and climbs gradually to the lane crossroads.
      • Special hi-tech cats' eyes have been set into the road to help drivers keep to the carriageway.
      • He added: ‘All we ask is that people stay away from livestock, keep to the paths and don't take dogs.’
      • And off I sailed, keeping to the main road which was quite dry, and well salted.
      • She made up her mind that if she went one way, keeping to a straight path, she would eventually find the edge of the forest.
      • Mr Timm added that followers were permitted to meet the hunt wherever they came from, as long as they kept to the roads and did not stray on to the surrounding fields.
      • Cross the bridge and keep to the tarmac path from here which leads back to the car park.
      • There are signs everywhere asking walkers not to cause further damage to the fragile moorland and to keep to the path, but it is obvious that many just don't care about the damage they cause.
      • Traditionally at warm-up, teams keep to their respective ends of the pitch.
      Synonyms
      follow, follow closely, stick to, stay on
      1. 1.1Adhere to (a schedule)
        the administration has kept to a tight timetable
        Example sentencesExamples
        • We will adhere to the deadlines and keep to the timetable.
        • Buses are getting later and later and drivers are getting more stressed out trying to keep to impossible schedules.
        • I kept to a regular schedule as much as possible, leaving myself the morning hours to get what I needed to do done and going to bed in the late afternoon.
        • However, work is being halted following failure to keep to the deadlines for completing construction.
        • He set a rigorous study schedule for himself and worked hard to keep to it.
        • It is impossible to keep to any kind of schedule.
        • If I can't keep to my routines I feel anxious.
        • The secret of keeping to an exercise schedule is to make it enjoyable and this man sure knows how to do it.
        • Drivers and railway staff work under intense stress to keep to the tight timetables.
        • His only hope is that he won't be kept to a tight timetable.
      2. 1.2Observe (a promise)
        she was anxious to keep to her resolve to lay before him all the facts
        Example sentencesExamples
        • If you keep to that promise and do all my chores for the rest of the year, then I won't speak a word of it to anyone else.
        • ‘You made a solemn promise to your friends, keep to it,’ he advised them.
        • We are trying to ensure Lincolnshire officials keep to that Government promise.
        • Either Zach made a promise to change, and kept to it, or she was out of his life forever.
        • We could be crucial in scrutinising whether the government keeps to its promises about reconstruction.
        • And let us all hope that this and future administrations keep to those promises.
        • However, the government has not kept to its promise.
        • I have managed to keep to my promise to get back to the gym.
        • Since 2000, the Executive has kept to its commitment to limit increases in the poundage rate to inflation.
        • I told you I am not running, and I am keeping to that promise.
        Synonyms
        obey, abide by, observe, follow, comply with, adhere to, act in accordance with, conform to, be governed by, respect, defer to
      3. 1.3Confine or restrict oneself to.
        nothing is more irritating than people who do not keep to the point
        Example sentencesExamples
        • This time I obeyed all the traffic rules and kept to a safe speed.
        • Instead, the vast majority of people who drive sensibly and keep to speed limits will have to live with ridiculous restrictions and longer queues as a result.
        • To help you to keep to the point of your letter, you can draw up an outline to plan your letter.
        • They mostly skipped the ‘controversy’ and kept to interviews with the actors and theologians.
        • He has kept to the script so far, but needs to actually start putting figures on things.
        • If Labour is hoping for a nice, tidy Scottish campaign, where everybody keeps to non-devolved issues and avoids the Scottish dimension, it could be in for a surprise.
        • Although now I drank a wide range of fluids I still kept to the restricted salad, fruit and lean food diet.
        • To Manchester's credit they performed admirably and kept to their game plan right to the death.
        • Yet Edwards didn't lose his cool, kept to his talking points (even if he did so a little too much), and was occasionally downright charming.
        • Ensure that topics of conversation are kept to literary or academic subjects.
        Synonyms
        stick to, restrict oneself to, confine oneself to
  • keep someone under

    • Cause someone to remain in a state of oppression or subjection.

      the local people are kept under by the army
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Hungary was then regarded at Vienna as a conquered realm, whose naturally rebellious inhabitants could only be kept under by force of arms.
      • the true church is very much kept under by its enemies.
      • Before that time comes, he will have conquered our kingdom and our people and our cities, and kept them under by force of arms for many years.
      Synonyms
      keep in subjection, keep in submission, hold down, keep down, keep under one's thumb, subdue, subject, suppress, repress, oppress, tyrannize over, tyrannize
  • keep up (also keep up with)

    • 1Move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else.

      often they had to pause to allow him to keep up
      Example sentencesExamples
      • This ensured that state pensions kept up with the rate at which salaries were rising.
      • Unions have been broken and pay has not kept up with inflation.
      • Some private economists believe the central bank should become more aggressive in raising interest rates, which haven't kept up with the recent acceleration in prices.
      • And when the pair split up to try to lose him, he kept up with one and finally managed to arrest him on the Beswick estate in Manchester.
      • Ministry grants have not kept up with rising costs of education, including salary increases for teachers and support staff, and rising costs of utilities and supplies.
      • On weekends, I found that I could actually keep up with my husband when we went hiking or biking.
      • As a result, U.S. factories haven't kept up with foreign rivals.
      • The truckers’ pay rates have not kept up with increasing fuel prices and maintenance costs.
      • The level of funding increase that has been provided for schools and early childhood centres has not even kept up with the rate of inflation.
      • During the same period the typical investor lost 10 percent of his or her portfolio and workers' wages barely kept up with the rate of inflation.
      Synonyms
      keep pace, keep abreast
      keep pace with, keep abreast of
    • 2Meet a commitment to pay or do something regularly.

      if you do not keep up with the payments, the loan company can make you sell your home
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Janny felt healthier and had enough energy to keep up with her commitments.
      • Despite everything she's been through she's always kept up with her school work.
      • Provided creditors agree, and the debtor keeps up with the payments laid out in the trust deed, he will usually be discharged from any remaining debt after three years.
      • I'm going to try to keep up with five updates a week, I really am.
      • Throughout filming she has kept up with her school work by email and is very level-headed.
      • She has kept up with her exercise regime whereas mine has started and floundered quite a few times.
      • It encourages my child to attend college regularly and punctually and keep up with the course work.
      • If you don't keep up with repairs then things begin to deteriorate.
      • Millions of middle-class families like these are working hard and trying to get ahead, but they just can't keep up with the health care costs.
      • According to the National Consumer Council, about six million families are already struggling to keep up with credit commitments at a time when borrowing is rising.
  • keep up with

    • 1Learn about or be aware of (current events or developments)

      even though he's been travelling, he's kept up with what's going on back home
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Somewhere along the way he admits that he became disillusioned with the art world and, though he keeps up with its developments, he has not lifted a paintbrush in years.
      • Keeping up with science is probably easier than keeping up with current affairs.
      • She may have been far from clever, but she certainly kept up with all the palace's gossip.
      • I keep up with news and current events, and love interacting with people in new situations.
      • It must be both fascinating and frustrating to be a medical doctor and have to keep up with all the research and new evidence that may be against accepted practices.
      • He thinks that some professionals aren't keeping up with the latest developments.
      • In order to keep up with current events throughout the world, I watch the news in the morning.
      • She kept up with all the news of the day and took a keen interest in local and national events.
      • It is a place where pensioners meet other pensioners and keep up with news.
      • His work was based on the mathematics he learnt as a student and he appears not to have kept up with new developments.
      Synonyms
      keep informed about, keep up to date with, keep in touch with, not lose track of, keep abreast of, keep an eye on, learn about, retain an interest in
      1. 1.1Continue to be in contact with (someone)
        they had kept up with him by means of Xmas cards
        Example sentencesExamples
        • They each spend about seven to 10 hours a week keeping up with all of their contacts.
        • It was very interesting to see how people were doing, but there were no surprise recognitions of people I should really have kept up with and haven't.
        • We had all visited him regularly to keep up with each other, and I for one, wrote a letter to him every week.
        • Then we were chatting more, and eventually keeping up with each other outside of work.
        • I kept up with Timmy for a while, but as often happens, once we no longer saw each other weekly, the emails became less and less frequent until they stopped.
        • We were loved and cherished by the most extraordinary teachers, whom I actually kept up with in later life.
        • I haven't kept up with either of them, but I hear from them and every once in a while I'll see Brad on the circuit.
        Synonyms
        remain in contact with, stay in touch with, maintain contact with, remain in correspondence with, remain in communication with, keep up one's friendship with, remain acquainted with
  • keep someone up

    • Prevent someone from going to bed or to sleep.

      the drugs kept her up all night hallucinating
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I can't even remember all the classes I slept through because you kept me up all night.
      • The fact is, some foods promote sleep, while others are bound to keep you up at night.
      • Try as I might, once again the noise kept me up and I couldn't sleep.
      • He kept us up until well past 4am with hilarious stories of an actor's life.
      • My mom says I slept all day and kept her up at nights.
      • So, are you planning to get some sleep, or are you planning to keep me up?
      • What kept you up so late, I thought you were coming to bed?
      • Thoughts like these kept Deirdre up most of the night, and she got little sleep.
      • It was painful enough last week that I had to call in a sick day as the pain kept me up most of the night.
      • It keeps you up for days, takes away all inhibitions and is as addictive if not more so than heroin.
  • keep something up

    • 1Continue a course of action.

      keep up the good work
      Example sentencesExamples
      • So as long as this egoistic propaganda is kept up, India will continue to get the better of any encounters in the battlefield.
      • She gets top marks in every class and I know she will have a bright future if she keeps this up.
      • Articles like yours allow me to maintain faith in the American people - keep it up and may your voice get louder and louder!
      • I didn't really keep it up continuously, but practiced occasionally in college.
      • I was happy with the hunger we showed and I felt that if we kept it up we were in with a chance.
      • How long were you planning on keeping this childish play up?
      • I kept it up for a few years, until I was twelve or so, and then I gave it up on my own.
      • I've been slowly working up to getting up earlier (I had been getting up around 11 a.m.) and have kept it up most of the week.
      • If it was just an act, how could anyone have kept it up so convincingly for more than 20 years, without giving a glimpse of something intelligent underneath.
      • As a result I'm spending about £10 a week less than I was and I intend to keep it up.
      Synonyms
      continue, keep on with, continue with, go on with, carry on with, persist with, persevere with
      1. 1.1Keep something in an efficient or proper state.
        the rector could not afford to keep up the grounds
        Example sentencesExamples
        • My father-in-law has become quite ill and it's becoming increasingly difficult for my mother-in-law to keep up the house.
        • Volunteers help keep up the park through the seasons.
        • I've thought that the ugly house was the home of someone old and ill, someone who couldn't afford to keep it up, someone whose entire life was confined to one small room upstairs.
        • We still can use volunteers to help keep up the garden.
        • There is generally a tighter management of the properties because Mum and Dad say, ‘You keep it up or the rents goes up’.’
      2. 1.2Make something remain at a high level.
        he was whistling to keep up his spirits
        Example sentencesExamples
        • We've got to show support for these young children to keep their enthusiasm up to become professional players.
        • All of the support helps to keep their morale up.
        • With cases of vomiting there is a risk of dehydration among children, so parents should make sure fluid levels are kept up.
        • Catherine said: ‘It was pretty hard but luckily I had a lot of people who supported me and got me through and kept my confidence up.’
        • We kept her spirits up and she has shown tremendous courage and determination.
        • Well, I'm older, and so I have to keep the energy level up.
        • She would tell me to pull myself together and kept my spirits up.
        • It is all done with a flowing pace that keeps the interest level up, managing to be both educational and entertaining.
        • The Consumers Association has been supportive of our moves to try and keep standards up.
        • ‘I am feeling better every day, and all the good wishes of the many who have written have certainly kept my spirits up,’ she said.

Derivatives

  • keepable

  • adjective
    • I'm new to the whole trout game and as Browns are prevalent where I live, I was wondering what is a keepable size?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • What they do is rework the law to make it keepable.
      • The first step to creating a keepable resolution is getting completely honest about your commitment level.

Origin

Late Old English cēpan 'seize, take in', also 'care for, attend to', of unknown origin.

Rhymes

asleep, beep, bleep, cheap, cheep, creep, deep, heap, Jeep, leap, neap, neep, peep, reap, seep, sheep, skin-deep, sleep, steep, Streep, sweep, veep, weep
 
 

Definition of keep in US English:

keep

verbkēpkip
[with object]
  • 1Have or retain possession of.

    my father would keep the best for himself
    she had trouble keeping her balance
    Example sentencesExamples
    • They may agree to match or better the quote in order to keep your business.
    • I have a wife and one-year old baby that I have to provide for, and right now that means keeping my third-shift convenience store job.
    • The office has also had trouble keeping multicultural admissions officers more than two years.
    • Allotment gardeners who won their fight to keep their rented plots may now bid to buy them outright.
    • He is having trouble keeping his charges' attention while she bobs and weaves in the background.
    • There will also be a wide range of high quality locally produced crafts, great to keep or to give as gifts!
    • And in return the councils can keep a share of the extra revenue raised through business tax to spend in their areas.
    • If I'd kept the house for just 3 more years it would have doubled in price.
    • Ultimately though, Edwards had just too much speed and he kept his composure to win the day and the season.
    • How do some of these individuals keep their positions of employment I wonder?
    • Key to overturning Labour's landslides was to remain the party willing to allow people to keep more of their own money.
    • He then ordered two cheese burgers and a cola, gave me all his money, and told me to keep the change.
    • I had trouble keeping my balance because I had an open soda pop can in my hands so I had to go slower.
    • And on the following Friday night, they kept their nerve to win a hugely-physical dogfight.
    • I check to see what the best rates are and challenge my lender to keep my business by giving me a better deal.
    • Good time to drink, he thought, heading to the bar, and leaving Ada to keep a table by the dance floor.
    • She must have loved him very much as she kept every diary and letter he wrote from 1906 until he died.
    • If she keeps her seat at the local elections, she will be made mayor on May 17, with her husband Mike as Mayor's Consort.
    • Then with a patronizing tone they tell me that I can keep the change.
    • Mr Taylor said Brown had told him it was a new year so he intended to stay out of trouble and to keep his job.
    1. 1.1 Retain or reserve for use in the future.
      return one copy to me, keeping the other for your files
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Most tax advisers recommend keeping copies of your returns and supporting documents for at least six years.
      • This powder can be kept for long periods of time and is taken along on a journey.
      • It seems people love to hoard them and keep them for the future.
      • I hope someone is planning to keep this stuff for future historians.
      • The fact that they were twice baked and very dry meant that they could be kept for long periods and were well adapted for use by travellers.
      • The records belong to the city and are kept in trust for future generations.
      • Even so, advisers recommend taking photographs of valuable possessions and keeping receipts for as many things as possible.
      • Three crops a year are harvested to provide enough rice for the population, and the government keeps surpluses stored for times of drought.
      • Do you think it is appropriate to keep skeletons for future scientific work?
      • She added that the 150000 that was set aside in the estimates should be kept in reserve for phase two.
      • Other ‘surplus money’ was being kept aside for classroom improvements, said Mr Jackson.
      • Some messages are important and need to be kept for future reference.
      • Less data is being deleted and more data is being kept for longer periods of time.
      • Regular use of bronchodilators should therefore be avoided and should be kept in reserve for breakthrough wheezing.
      • Are you keeping a reserve of under-worked staff on roll to tap into, in the event of an upswing?
      Synonyms
      retain, hold on to, keep for oneself, retain possession of, keep possession of, retain in one's possession, keep hold of, not part with, hold fast to, hold back
      reserve, keep in reserve, put by, save, save up, store up, put aside, lay aside, set aside, hoard, treasure
    2. 1.2 Put or store in a regular place.
      the stand where her umbrella was kept
      Example sentencesExamples
      • A key safe is a secure box, opened by keying in a secret number, that is kept outside your house.
      • Everyone else decided to lounge around the living room where the beautiful sofas were kept.
      • Bags are a girl's best friend, allowing women to keep their must-have possessions close at hand.
      • Mr Caswell kept some furniture and clothing at the flat but did not live there.
      • If luck was needed, Stewart had that covered, too, courtesy of his mascot Fred - a toy skeleton that he kept in his glove bag.
      • National service is compulsory and all adult males are members of the Army Reserve, keeping a rifle at home.
      • The books are lovingly maintained, and kept on shelves behind a protective screen.
      • It's usually kept on one particular shelf, but when he asked me for it, I looked, and it was gone.
      • Spread your possessions about - keep your money and mobile phone separate.
      • An intricately carved wooden table is kept in between the plush sofas.
      • Saddles were carefully kept in a spare stall and bridles were precisely suspended in the correct places.
      • The letters, totalling 52 pages, were found in the west of Ireland about 30 years ago and kept in a safe ever since.
      • The other guys in your unit keep pinching your bike for odd jobs throughout the day, and you wouldn't mind keeping it stored underneath a desk.
      • It would appear that somebody knew he kept money in his house.
      • A second briefcase was kept under the White House in a secret bunker in case of nuclear attack.
      • Plants kept on the windowsill will benefit from hardening off before they are planted out.
      • This manuscript is on the shelf where only books by family members are kept.
      • If the fern is planted in a pot and kept in semi shade or even in a place where it gets some more sunlight, you will soon find the plant spreading around.
      • Frustratingly for the family it was the first time they had stored the bikes inside the shed after previously keeping them inside the house.
      • She pulled and guided her horse to the barn where the saddles were kept, moving swiftly as she worked.
      Synonyms
      store, house, stow, keep a place for, put away, place, put, deposit, stack, pile
  • 2Continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course, etc.

    keep left along the wall
    with object and complement she might be kept alive artificially by machinery
    no object she could have had some boyfriend she kept quiet about
    Example sentencesExamples
    • Keeping all his constituents happy is an all but impossible task.
    • For security reasons, however, the exact location of the deposits is kept secret for the time being.
    • The continuing cold weather has kept mildew levels very low.
    • The beaches are always kept in a pristine condition by the many vendors who are there to look after all your needs.
    • The wardens would also have had a general duty of care to keep the area clear of litter to help improve the look of the site.
    • She will also need some reassurance that in future she will be kept safe and that such an event will not repeat itself.
    • We have to do what needs to be done in order to keep our secrets safe.
    • No longer can they depend upon their mother to feed them or protect them, or keep them warm.
    • His condition became so bad he had to be kept alive on a ventilator.
    • The miracle of modern medicine may keep a loved one alive despite a terminal condition.
    • Bella didn't know what to say to that, so she kept silent.
    • The cemetery has been kept in excellent condition over the past number of years and it is hoped that this will be the case again this year.
    • It was used in the days before refrigerators to keep food cool and store ice blocks gathered in winter.
    • He cannot even walk on his own and he is barely kept alive by a variety of mechanical devices.
    • But for some prisoners a good book can be the only thing keeping them sane.
    • The thick layer of leaves keeps the ground relatively wet, so Bob usually waits until June to plow the leaves under and then plant hay.
    • Food that needs to be kept fresh can be stored in containers too, meaning less plastic wrap or foil is needed.
    • The exact location of the cave will be kept secret to protect the art, which is in pristine condition.
    • More hybrids are expected in the near future and competition should keep prices realistic.
    • She keeps the house clean and beautifully arranged.
    Synonyms
    remain, continue to be, stay, carry on being, go on being, persist in being, not cease to be
    1. 2.1no object, with present participle Continue doing or do repeatedly or habitually.
      he keeps going on about the murder
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He is half the size of some of the others but he is so tough and such a good jumper that he keeps winning.
      • The Blues kept digging deep trying to keep themselves in contention.
      • He kept repeating the same thing, that it had nothing to do with him.
      • Like a gramophone stuck on a groove, he kept asking me why Wen shouted at him.
      • As I pulled up in the car park, a wasp launched itself at the windscreen and kept repeatedly battering itself against the glass.
      • The doctor just keeps telling me the lab results are normal.
      • The strange message kept being repeated over and over again for about 15 seconds at 1.55 am each day.
      • We kept driving, past cedar thickets and a pasture studded with blooming prickly pear cactus.
      • But as the Federal Reserve keeps raising rates, such buys become less attractive.
      • They were asked to put forward a defence but kept delaying it.
      • It is important to keep looking to the future.
      • She kept repeating it over and over, like I'd asked her to drive me to Uranus or the Arctic Circle.
      • We need to keep picking up points to stay clear of the relegation zone.
      • He was always determined to be modern; not to repeat himself but to keep pushing boundaries.
      • I'd need a thesaurus handy just to make sure I don't keep repeating myself.
      • The managers thought she was up to something, after she kept screwing up repeatedly.
      • I had to keep telling myself to stay focused and remain calm through this whole ordeal.
      • We like the idea of that because it reminds us to think of the future rather than keep looking to the past.
      • I have some biggish plans for an upgrade in the very near future, so keep checking back.
      • There was an adorable little boy living next door to us, who would keep saying hello repeatedly until we said hello back.
      Synonyms
      persist in, go on, keep on, carry on, continue, do something constantly, do something incessantly, do something continually, not stop doing something, persevere
    2. 2.2no object (of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition.
      fresh ginger does not keep well
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The batter keeps in the fridge for up to a month; when you're ready to enjoy, just pour it into a tin, bake and you've got a hot muffin in about 25 minutes.
      • Pasta will keep for months in the cupboard.
      • Shelf life varies from product to product, but most items will keep, if stored properly, for a minimum of one month.
      • This product does not keep, and is mainly produced in the autumn and winter.
      • The mix keeps for two to three months at room temperature.
      • It keeps very well if stood upright in a jug containing a little water, and refrigerated.
      • The nice thing about ginger is that it keeps well.
    3. 2.3 Retain one's place in or on (a seat or saddle, the ground, etc.) against opposition or difficulty.
      are you able to keep your saddle?
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Deirdre kept her ground and the clashing of metal against metal was heard as she blocked his attack.
      • He kept his ground as his attacker walked towards him.
      • She swayed from side to side upon the animal's broad back, and her ruddy face was redder than usual with the effort of keeping her seat.
      • Her arms flailed up and around in a desperate and truly valiant bid to keep her seat.
      • Tamora kept her seat, one hand free to wield her sword with unnervingly good aim.
    4. 2.4 Make (someone) do something for a period of time.
      I have kept her waiting too long
      Example sentencesExamples
      • That might not have mattered, except that they kept me waiting for about 20 minutes.
      • He apologised for keeping me waiting (although it was our photographer who had delayed him) and swiftly swept away his papers to make way for me.
      • He certainly kept us waiting but he got there in the end.
      • You may have guessed that this is not the first time that he kept me waiting.
      • The man who created some of the most memorable images of the Sixties arrives early for his interview, then apologises for keeping me waiting.
      • And keeping people waiting is part of what stardom is about, which is why he showed up over half an hour late without anyone seeming to mind.
      • I was also glad that she hadn't kept me waiting since the sky was overcast and it was slightly chilly.
      • My most sincere apologies for keeping you waiting so long!
      • The company kept us waiting for the better part of an hour, but finally their vehicle arrived.
      • It's a habit he shares with many film producers: he keeps less important mortals waiting, and arrives an hour after our interview was scheduled.
      • He kept me waiting at the counter, having forgotten that there was meant to be an author around.
      • I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but I was setting up a delicate experiment in the observatory.
      • She could see he was upset so she walked up to him, hugged him and apologized for keeping him waiting.
      • They kept me waiting for nearly two hours and then I was taken into an office and told to empty my pockets.
      • He enters, apologises bluntly for keeping us waiting, and says he's extremely busy, so let's get on with it.
      • I did not wish to anger the King any more by keeping him waiting.
      • They then kept me waiting for 20 minutes while they obviously checked out my story.
      • The waitresses ran a fairly slick and professional service, neither keeping us waiting nor hovering for our orders before we were ready.
      • She kept me waiting for what felt like an eternity but was probably about 15/20 minutes.
      • I didn't want to be responsible for what might happen if I kept him waiting any longer.
    5. 2.5 Delay or detain; cause to be late.
      I won't keep you, I know you've got a busy evening
      Example sentencesExamples
      • She smiled graciously and said, ‘I mustn't keep you’ and she was gone.
      • ‘I don't want to keep you,’ she apologized. ‘Guess you'd best get outside.’
      • You must be quick, and not keep me long.
      Synonyms
      detain, cause to stay, cause to wait, keep waiting, keep back, hold back, restrain
    6. 2.6archaic Continue to follow (a way, path, or course)
      the friars and soldiers removed, keeping their course toward Jericho
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Keeping their course on the north side of the lake until they reached its head, they started up the mountain.
      • Still further westward on they keep their way.
      • Our protection was speed and keeping a zig-zag course.
      • They kept the track, and rolled off mile after mile before daylight in an effort to catch up to the leaders.
  • 3Provide for the sustenance of (someone)

    he had to keep his large family in the manner he had chosen
    Example sentencesExamples
    • All the families of the O'Reilly's Club kept a player each in their home, cooked for them and looked after them well.
    • It describes a man who has done everything he possibly can to save his job and keep his family in the way that they have expected to live.
    • My mother had to sell me as she could not afford to keep me any longer.
    • Mrs. Brown had been unable to keep her children and had given her two little girls away.
    • He worked hard to keep his family - like everybody else.
    Synonyms
    provide for, support, provide food for, provide sustenance for, provide board for, feed, keep alive, maintain, sustain, subsidize, finance
    1. 3.1 Provide (someone) with a regular supply of a commodity.
      the money should keep him in cigarettes for a week
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Apart from keeping us supplied with bread, fruit and hot drinks, the Prodive staff would change our cylinders for us, and I was impressed by the care they took with our cameras.
      • Fred proved to be an excellent sponsor, keeping me stocked with all the spare parts I needed.
      • I can only hope she was kept well supplied with all the little comforts she missed.
      • But let's not forget the stores that kept the rest of Manchester's population in clothes.
      • Our stocks were wiped out on the first day and it was a full time job keeping the children supplied with their favourite which was bananas.
      • When Ellen was ill friends kept the family supplied with soup, eggs, jellies and wine.
      • My mother keeps me well in stock of incense, candles, charcoal blocks, and altar covers.
      • You will also need a support team, involving two drivers to transport you and your equipment around the country as well as keeping the team supplied with plenty of food and water.
      • We always planted a ridge of turnips and a ridge of cabbage to keep us supplied with vegetables.
      • There was Bill Amon who also kept bees and kept us supplied in honey - that's how I got my love of honey.
      • It is this large distribution network that keeps our first-hand bookshops in fresh stock.
      • But, above all, it has kept me supplied with the materials essential to my trade as a historian.
      • His wife kept him supplied with beers and food, and there he sat, happy as a hippo in a waterhole.
    2. 3.2 Own and look after (an animal) for pleasure or profit.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • But the RSPCA and other leading animal welfare groups advise people not to keep exotic pets.
      • Mr England decided to convert the barn when the pressures on farming forced him to give up keeping pigs at his holding two years ago.
      • Most of his cattle, however, he keeps for milk production.
      • On the other side of the village is the Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm, which not only keeps birds of prey and Shetland ponies but also has meerkats, a couple of kookaburras, and a llama.
      • He had to cycle seven miles each way to the land where the sheep were kept.
      • He said Beale was now keeping chickens and pigs, of which there had been no complaints, as well as growing strawberries.
      • They also kept sheep, goats and cattle to add milk, butter, cheese and meat to their diet.
      • The animal bones indicated that large quantities of sheep were kept, with some cattle and pig.
      • I remember a time when every farmer kept a pig or two for their own use.
      • He keeps pigs, cattle and sheep and does not look after the animals himself, contracting out all the mucky work.
      • The foundation provides homes for retired racehorses and keeps horses at farms in ten states, including Kentucky, Florida, and New York.
      • It is an active farm which keeps sheep, goats and pigs and produces cork and honey.
      • Twenty or so acres can be useful for keeping horses or ponies and does carry a certain prestige.
      • Although it is true to say that keeping pigs as pets has been extremely popular, there are not as many pet pigs around at the moment according to a pig organisation.
      • Because of the presence of the tsetse fly, large animals such as cattle and goats are not kept.
      • The fox hunters' problem is that, because keeping a horse is a pretty expensive activity, they were always seen as some sort of financial elite.
      • She has kept her horse, Callie, which is the first she has owned, at the stables since September.
      • I know several families who keep a couple of horses each so that they can hunt during the season.
      • He also wants a proper pony track and stables for the local boys to keep their horses.
      • To increase his income, he kept sheep and cows, did spinning and acted as a labourer when other farmers needed help.
      Synonyms
      breed, rear, raise, farm
    3. 3.3 Own and manage (a shop or business).
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Isaura and her husband kept a grocery nearby, and they often stayed there late in the evenings.
      • Jeremy had often told her that her father had been a merchant who kept shop near the barracks.
      • Little Nell Trent lives in the gloomy atmosphere of the old curiosity shop kept by her grandfather, whom she tends with devotion.
      • Tucked in a bazaar along a grimy street, he keeps a shop about the size of a toolshed.
      • Roger, of course, would rather take care of her and keep the shop, but puts on a cheerful face.
      Synonyms
      manage, run, own, be the proprietor of, be in charge of, administer, organize, direct, keep up, maintain, operate, look after, superintend
    4. 3.4 Guard; protect.
      his only thought is to keep the boy from harm
      Example sentencesExamples
      • We would do anything to keep them from danger.
      • We have spent almost 16 years keeping her from harm and helping her grow and now we have to sit back and watch this person come in and abuse her.
      • You gave him a good life and kept him from pain.
      • Traditional values are so perverted by slavery that Sethe is driven to murder her own daughter to keep her from slavery's horrors.
      Synonyms
      tend, look after, care for, take care of, mind, watch over, have charge of, be responsible for
      preserve, protect, keep safe, afford protection to, guard, shield, shelter, save, safeguard, secure, defend
    5. 3.5 Support (someone, especially a woman) financially in return for sexual favors.
      as adjective a kept woman
      Example sentencesExamples
      • At one stage she was told no woman editor in London would touch her novel with a barge pole because it was so unfashionable to have a story about a kept woman.
      • He kept another woman, by whom he had two children.
      • He was a clever sociopath who owned three properties and kept different women at each.
  • 4Honor or fulfill (a commitment or undertaking)

    I'll keep my promise, naturally
    Example sentencesExamples
    • The men will not be allowed to leave the remote centre and must also keep a vow of complete silence for six months.
    • How far am I expected to travel so you can say you kept your promise?
    • The company kept its pledge to launch the services which will allow always-on internet access of over mobile handsets by the end of the year.
    • Even as she said it, she knew that she could not guarantee herself that she would keep that oath.
    • Four years after a South Yorkshire council was blasted for failing to work on stopping benefit fraud, it has come under fire again for not keeping its promises to improve.
    • For all these years, I kept my promise and never looked into the box under our bed.
    • Catherine always said that if she won the prize she would take her mother with her, so she has kept her promise.
    • ‘This is about keeping a commitment, delivering promises and being true to our convictions,’ he said.
    • Meanwhile, the budget at the club has been slashed and the manager left because pledges were not kept.
    • You took an oath to defend the nation, and you kept that oath overseas and under fire.
    • She can leave home only to get to her office job, to keep legal or health appointments.
    • However, if he also keeps the commitment to buy new helicopters from Eurocopter, this will mean that in a couple of years Bulgaria will have 36 machines.
    • She was accused of failing to keep her promise to work with the aviation industry to improve the choice of destinations.
    • It also results from engineers being conscientious people who are serious about keeping their commitments.
    • Pharmaceutical companies now had to keep their promises and negotiate honestly, she said.
    • We wanted to find out whether Britain and the West are keeping the pledges we made.
    • We've made foolish promises, and it wouldn't be right to overburden those future younger workers by keeping them.
    • This is the work not of months, but of years and keeping these commitments is essential to our future security.
    • He represents a party that is short on policy, short on commitment, and seriously short on keeping any promises that it made during the election.
    • An irregular churchgoer before September, the woman who prayed for a miracle and got one is now keeping her end of the bargain.
    Synonyms
    comply with, obey, respect, observe, conform to, abide by, stick to, act in accordance with, act according to, have regard to, heed, follow, pay attention to, defer to, take notice of
    1. 4.1 Observe (a religious occasion) in the prescribed manner.
      today's consumers do not keep the Sabbath
      Example sentencesExamples
      • They were once so numerous that the town kept the feast of St Crispin on October 25, patron saint of cobblers.
      • Not once in the New Testament are we told to keep the Sabbath.
      • Some kept all the Holy Days and some kept only Passover.
      Synonyms
      observe, respect, honour, hold sacred, recognize, acknowledge
    2. 4.2 Pay due regard to (a law or custom).
      Example sentencesExamples
      • When we think of observing the law, of keeping the commandments, it is the will that first comes to mind.
      • If they kept these laws they were going to be victorious and happy in their promised land.
      • Thus far we have seen only part of what he meant when he said that Christians should keep the whole law.
      • Every week religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, and keep its laws and customs.
      • For Pharisees, holiness was achieved, in part, by rigorously keeping the law.
      • According to my teachers, only Catholics who kept the commandments had a real shot at Heaven.
      • So for instance, the lyre bird is the storyteller of the bush, not only because it doesn't have a voice of its own, but because it keeps the law.
      • We can dedicate more resources to keep our traditions that might be lost otherwise.
      • Paul and the Jesus of the gospels reject the belief that keeping the Jewish law is necessary for salvation.
      • We have kept that tradition for 1,600 years and we should be proud of it, he added.
      • We are free and tolerant in our private lives, but in public affairs we keep the law.
      • Because no one keeps the whole Law, everyone who lives by the Law must be under a curse.
      • Our experience in Ireland is that the only thing that really works in terms of drivers keeping the law is fear.
      • We are not saved by keeping the law, or by doing good works, or by adhering to church doctrine.
      • Such a man obeys my commands and carefully keeps my laws.
      • He thought that to be ‘good’ he had to keep the rules and respect the law of God.
      • The Gentiles or unbeliever is able to keep the moral law because they are made in the image of God.
      • Among ourselves, we keep the law but when we are operating in the jungle, we must also use the laws of the jungle.
      • Smaller, lighter and faster, it keeps the tradition of luxury.
      • They were redeemed, not because they kept the law but because they received the promise.
      Synonyms
      observe, respect, honour, hold sacred, recognize, acknowledge
  • 5Make written entries in (a diary) on a regular basis.

    the master kept a weekly journal
    Example sentencesExamples
    • She also writes poetry and has kept a diary since she was 9 years-old.
    • Nicole used the site to write poems and kept a diary of her treatment there.
    • Some of us remember keeping our own diary as children.
    • So, turn off that TV and start keeping a diary, a journal or, best of all, a blog.
    • During World War II Anne Frank, a Jewish girl in Amsterdam, kept a diary of the time she lived in.
    • I've been keeping this diary now for four months.
    • It is said that while he was inside, Watson kept a diary and that it may now be written up for publication.
    • He writes long letters to his estranged wife and keeps a diary.
    • Like most working class children, he was illiterate and kept no diary or written record of his life.
    • As a kid, or as a grown up, did you keep a diary writing up what you did everyday?
    • My mother, who died when I was born, kept a diary every day from her eleventh birthday until she married.
    • Ever since I decided to move into a new town, I thought keeping a diary of everyday events would be an interesting exercise.
    • Periodically Ian kept a diary, each entry scribbled in pencil.
    • You may not be used to keeping a diary or journal, and perhaps feel unsure of how to best start.
    • From the age of four, when he was taught to write by his governess, he kept a diary.
    • I used to keep a paper journal back then.
    • I kept a diary through much of my teenage years, although it was a bit intermittent.
    • There are many possible reasons for keeping a diary and they range from pathological nostalgia to a prudent desire to possess a record of work done and objectives accomplished.
    • In a practice common among schizophrenics, he keeps a notebook, writing in hieroglyphs that are only comprehensible to him.
    • This fascination with themselves results in keeping diaries or writing poetry.
    1. 5.1 Write down as (a record)
      keep a note of the whereabouts of each item
      Example sentencesExamples
      • In desperation, Novalee camps in the Wal-Mart store, keeping a tally of all the food and goods she has borrowed.
      • If the problem persists it is a good idea to keep a record of the frequency and type of disturbance.
      • As I always do when I travel, I kept a record of what we saw and did, but putting Iceland into words is not easy.
      • We have a terrible time in keeping accurate records of community members.
      • It does not keep a record of how many households use the permits.
      • Most of my novels were written while I was in full-time employment, and I kept records of the amount of time I spent on them.
      • They should also do head counts of students rather than relying on the false records kept by the company.
      • During this era, people tended to write everything down and keep accurate records of events.
      • World War Two veteran Mr Rogers, 81, has kept a written record of his complaints and says he is fed up with being overlooked.
      • The children were asked to participate in the summer reading scheme and the library have kept a record of all books read.
      • Owning a second home has its own tax consequences, and it is important to ensure proper, up-to-date records are kept.
      • The UK scheme keeps records for every employee's full working life.
      • I would have to spend two or three nights a week on keeping records and form filling.
      • The experts demanded to know whether they had been keeping proper records of their excavations.
      • He keeps a record of the news that has appeared about him in print.
      • The gas firm was also found to have been keeping inadequate records of the state of its pipe distribution network.
      • Pupils will be keeping an on-going record of the building work as it progresses.
      • She still keeps records charting every penny she spends and she is worried.
      • Employers must keep records for at least three years to show that workers were paid the national minimum wage.
      • There are two things for me that we will discuss as a panel, as we will discuss absolutely everything, because we have kept a record of what you have said.
nounkēpkip
  • 1Food, clothes, and other essentials for living.

    working overtime to earn his keep
    Example sentencesExamples
    • If they were, then they would have been earning their keep and fending for themselves, like everyone else is supposed to do.
    • They had their pay and their keep and were given a quarter of a sheep to take home to feed their families.
    • Occasionally. in those days, some would be paid a wage but mostly they would work for their keep and a little pocket money.
    • For 10 shillings a week, plus his keep, Trevor worked on the moor where Mr Middlemiss had moor rights.
    • People like us who did without to own our house as a legacy for our children have our home taken off us if we have to go into care to pay for our keep.
    • Many men returned to work on the mills every season for many years as they got a regular wage and their keep.
    • That is why Greatwood is appealing for people to adopt one of the retired racehorses and contribute towards the cost of its keep.
    • At least this way they pay for their crimes and contribute something towards the cost of their keep.
    Synonyms
    maintenance, upkeep, support, sustenance, subsistence, board, board and lodging, food, nourishment, nurture
    1. 1.1 The cost of basic living essentials.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Once upon a time we may have been loss leaders; but now, we are expected to earn our keep.
      • Work was to be created for those who were sufficiently fit to be able to contribute towards their own keep.
      • For the next four decades Norris usually earned his keep working as a fisherman.
      • Even Web sites with a noble mission to restore a sense of community now have to earn their keep.
      • It wasn't a woman's place to own a farm, but a girl was expected to earn her keep by working on the family farm.
      • Now they have to earn their keep - and, as far as we are concerned, they are not doing so.
      • These people are entitled to protection and should not be forced to earn their keep.
      • He earned his keep cleaning the shoes and rooms of upper-class students.
      • He earned his keep in university by running a bookmaking operation out of his back pocket.
      • He organizes his charges to defuse land mines in order to earn their keep.
      • He would have played in the first team, coached the kids and earned his keep by working behind the bar and on the ground.
      • But to our ancestors, kids were an addition to the family workforce and had to earn their keep.
      • While earning his keep as a waiter in Covent Garden, Norton took a place at Central School of Art and Drama.
  • 2archaic Charge; control.

    if from shepherd's keep a lamb strayed far
    Example sentencesExamples
    • I was filled with gratitude that these beautiful children are in my keep.
    Synonyms
    safe keeping, care, custody, charge, possession, trust, protection, safeguard
  • 3The strongest or central tower of a castle, acting as a final refuge.

    Example sentencesExamples
    • She had been stuck in that horrible keep for the last four years of her life.
    • The never completed keep is a great round tower divided by a moat from the inner curtain that curves inward to avoid it.
    • The keep in stone encircled from the full water ditch that we see today was built at this time.
    • Manors and even small keeps abound in the highlands, not tourist attractions but still noble family estates.
    • This Great Hall was the social centre for the inhabitants of the inner keep.
    • In a few places great stone keeps were begun, best known of which is the Tower of London.
    • Kids will love the medieval keep, with its spiral staircases, and dim lighting.
    • It is crowned with a stone shell keep of about 1300, which replaced a timber predecessor.
    • Whereas motte and bailey castles were surrounded by a wooden fence, the stone keeps could rely on outer walls made of stone (curtain walls).
    • In stone keep castles, keeps were much higher than any other part of the castle.
    • Its most remarkable feature is that the large keep is itself protected by further curtain walls.
    • Even the gateways leading into old keeps and castles don't escape the over-enthusiasm of some amateur restorers.
    Synonyms
    fortress, fort, stronghold, tower, donjon, castle, citadel, bastion, fortification, fastness

Phrases

  • you can't keep a good man (or woman) down

    • informal A competent person will always recover well from setbacks or problems.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • Well, you can't keep a good man down and he's back, again.
      • But you know what they say - you can't keep a good man down.
      • He was on the receiving end of three pushes but you can't keep a good man down.
      • Like they say, you can't keep a good man down and the cream always rises to the top.
      • But you can't keep a good man down: Jack got on that plane and contested the Vegas tournaments with two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a metal plate in his wrist.
      • Attorney General John Ashcroft rushed back from gall-bladder surgery this week - you can't keep a good man down - to announce that the Department of Justice will set up a special Intellectual Property Task Force.
      • He had a bad day at the office on Monday, but you can't keep a good man down for long.
      • We should have known that you can't keep a good man down.
      • It's true that McNabb started the 2003 season in horrible fashion, but you can't keep a good man down forever, especially when he has the moves and the arm of this quarterback.
      • There's an age old adage however that says you can't keep a good man down, and while even some of his closest allies feared that defeat would end his career in public life Oliver Coffey had other ideas.
  • for keeps

    • informal Permanently; indefinitely.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • One has to use a nearby church hall for classes: the other has reverted to portable buildings in the playground that they hoped had gone for keeps.
      • My life's been hard, I don't trust people easily, but when I do, it's for keeps.
      • It's symptomatic of this disposable mentality society where nothing's for keeps and everything can be changed.
      • Once they are married, however, it's usually for keeps.
      • If there had been any doubt, however, he now knows he is not there for keeps.
      • Well, as the saying goes - wherever it came from in the first place - if you love someone, set her free; if she comes back to you, she is for keeps, if not, it was never meant to be.
      • I think she went into that marriage for keeps, and it's taken her a long time to get to the stage where she realises that the other person didn't.
      • But once the final payment has gone, the car is yours for keeps.
      • If an individual has won refugee status, that is theirs for keeps unless they break the law.
      • I was tempted to ask if she'd like to stay for keeps.
      Synonyms
      forever, for ever, for all time, for ever and ever, for always, once and for all, for good, for good and all, permanently, in perpetuity
  • keep one's feet

    • Manage not to fall.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • He can take on two or three people and, when you think he's going to lose balance, somehow keep his feet and beat the goalkeeper.
      • Outside the harbor, the waves were high enough that we had to grip the bowlines to keep our feet.
      • It's hard enough to keep your feet with only a pack and a rifle on your back.
      • She almost tripped over herself, but managed to keep her feet.
      • Jessie managed to keep her feet and offered him a hand back up.
      • I kept my feet and met her straight on as she came at me.
      • A few of the players were not keeping their feet, but it was better once we got used to it.
      • Unable to keep his feet, he fell backward, into the icy cold water of the bay.
      • Players were finding it very hard to keep their feet.
      • He managed to keep his feet for a few seconds, then tumbled forward into the dirt.
  • keep going

    • Make an effort to live normally when in a difficult situation.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • With much determination in our eyes and sweat on our brows, we kept going.
      • Through rich and more barren times, he has kept going, backing up his albums with frequent touring.
      • She suffered quite badly with heart problems recently but she kept going.
      • Through all of this he kept going and now the new school is ready to open.
      • He kept going through decidedly lean periods by remaining true to himself as a player and a person.
      • Even when the equipment started melting, and they got burns to their arms, they kept going.
      • It definitely gives us the confident start we need to keep going and continue to be healthy.
      • We could have kept going, but we would have just got worse and worse as time went on.
  • keep it real

    • informal Be genuine, unaffected, or honest.

      whatever you do, keep it real
      he kept it real and I found him charming
  • keep to oneself

    • Avoid contact with others.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • I had the attacks several times a month and tried desperately to prevent them by keeping to myself and avoiding any social situations.
      • The younger ones, by contrast, kept to themselves more, talking intensely in quiet voices and casting a chilly eye on strangers.
      • She said her brother, the eldest of nine children, was a man who kept to himself.
      • They have been avoiding the whole Los Angeles scene, preferring to keep to themselves.
      • ‘They were genuinely nice, kept to themselves and were always seen out walking together,’ said one local.
      • Neighbours said he kept to himself but would always say hello.
      • He spoke with a few villagers but mostly kept to himself.
      • Living as she did in a colony where the neighbors kept to themselves, she was virtually a prisoner within her home.
      • Hidden from civilisation and resisting all attempts at contact, they had kept to themselves.
      • I kept to myself for most of the morning, hoping to avoid everyone else.
  • keep something to oneself

    • Refuse to disclose or share something.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • If they had troubles, they kept them to themselves, setting a pattern for the rest of their lives.
      • If it is a view shared by staff and players, they are keeping it to themselves.
      • I think our intelligence officers have the information but they keep it to themselves.
      • Rachael kept the dream to herself and never shared it with anyone.
      • Often we artists are a solitary lot, preferring to keep our work to ourselves until we deem it fit for sharing.
      • She kept it to herself, because it was too hard to share.
      • She was pregnant, but kept the information to herself.
      • Until recently, the common practice of governments was still to keep all information to themselves.
      • He kept his disappointments to himself, a quiet murmur of disapproval usually being as far as it went.
      • If he had negative opinions, he usually kept them to himself.
  • keep open house

    • Provide general hospitality.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • He keeps open house for all those farmers and people who want to do ecological restoration and conservation at the micro level.
      • The divorcee was a ‘sexual adventurer’ who had a series of casual and serious lovers and kept open house at her home.
      • He kept open house in his office, a small, single-storey building.
      • They tap into the collective memory of feudal lords keeping open house in medieval great halls - and of Victorian millionaires serving lavish dinners to jaded princes in pseudo-medieval mansions.
      • Here she kept open house for the traveller, the poor and those in need of help.

Phrasal Verbs

  • keep someone after

    • Make a student stay at school after normal hours as a punishment.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • If you were in his last class of the day he'd keep the whole class after.
      • ‘Where's Lily?’ she vaguely heard Christian ask. Natalie sighed. ‘Mrs. Wilcox kept her after.’
      • And, anyway, if a teacher was gonna keep him after, he'd rather it be Mr. Silurian than anyone else.
  • keep at (or keep someone at)

    • Persist (or force someone to persist) with.

      it was the best part of a day's work but I kept at it
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I kept at the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until I heard the doorbell ring and a policeman came in.
      • I'd get to these points where I wanted to stop but he kept me at it.
      • He was dedicated, and he was focused, and he kept at it year after year after year.
      • I think they're all very smart people, that are very good at something a lot of people can't even comprehend, and I think that kind of drive keeps them at what they do.
      • The job would get done, if we kept at it.
      Synonyms
      persevere with, persist with, be persistent in, keep going with, keep on at, be pertinacious in, show determination in, be resolute in, be steadfast in, not give up, not cease from, not falter in, carry on with, press on with, work away at, continue with, see through, struggle on with
  • keep away (or keep someone away)

    • Stay away (or make someone stay away)

      keep away from the edge of the cliff
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Although his record promotions and concert tours kept Joe away from Ireland a lot, he never forgot his home following and played the dancehall circuit to capacity audiences throughout the 80s.
      • Parents took their children out of classes last Tuesday and kept them away for the rest of the week in protest against the school's dilapidated condition.
      • His father taught him at home and kept him away from children his age.
      • In fact the Orange parade used to gather at the bottom of our road and my mother even kept us away from the window.
      • After the airport reception, the contestants were whisked to their hotel where they have been kept away from the press.
      • It's hard enough to try to raise your kids right and keep them away from drugs without someone slipping this into my kids' daily round of subliminal nudging.
      • Shopping online or by mail order keeps you away from some of the holiday's most aggravating situations - crowded stores and streets.
      • Another pastime that has kept me away from the keyboard is a fascinating book I've been reading.
      • The fact is, you were kept away from the public for two years.
      • I have kept him away from mirrors so he could not see how bad it was.
      Synonyms
      stay away, keep away, be absent, withdraw, retire, take one's leave, remove oneself, slip away, take oneself off, abscond
  • keep back (or keep someone/something back)

    • Remain (or cause someone or something to remain) at a distance.

      he had kept back from the river when he could
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Standing, he meant to go after the man, but Brad laid a gentle but restraining hand on his shoulder, keeping him back.
      • The media cordon is set up relatively close to the building, stepping back, keeping us back only about 50 to 75 metres.
      • He was escorted by more than 50 police officers back to the community to re-enact the crime, but there were not enough officers to keep back the angry crowd who wanted immediate revenge.
      • Police cordoned off the area to keep people back and the bus station remained closed following the accident.
      • The water had risen too high, and the levees just were not strong enough to keep it back.
      • It was lucky that the windows are double-glazed as they kept back the flames for a few minutes.
      • The captain of the Carpathia, however, had heard ‘no such stories’ about men being kept back from the lifeboats at gunpoint.
      • They were kept back by hundreds of police.
      • Cardiff fans were segregated at the match, and afterwards kept back while Leeds fans dispersed.
      • He tried to get in again, covering his face with a T-shirt, but again the flames kept him back.
  • keep someone back

    • Make a student repeat a year at school because of poor grades.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • Kids who fail the test are kept back a grade.
      • Consider keeping him back a year in school to allow him more time to develop the underlying abilities that he may need to avoid making him overly frustrated.
      • I have had many students who have been kept back a year, and they have had great success.
      • His sister, also a sophomore (because she had been kept back in grade school), has a 3.6 GPA and is a leader in her Bible-studies group.
      • Teachers threatened to keep kids back a year if they failed… and they did?
      • Authority's remedy, if you spent too much time out of the stream in one year, was to keep you back a class.
  • keep something back

    • 1Retain or withhold something.

      the father kept back $5 for himself
      Example sentencesExamples
      • They have always been told that insurance companies kept back some profits from the good years to compensate for the bad ones.
      • Martin said some pupils had still not received their report cards, which were being kept back because they had failed to pay their school fees.
      • Emergency services made arrangements with garages for supplies to be kept back specially for their vehicles.
      • Although this was the amount of rations laid down by law some of the shady crews often kept back food for to sell when they reached shore.
      • The profit kept back for the firm, after tax, was just £4.48m.
      • District councillors have blamed central government cutbacks for the rise, as newly introduced funding ‘ceilings’ mean money has been kept back from many local councils.
      • So far everything we've kept back will have a place in the next house, even if only once a year, like Christmas decorations.
      • Patrick Scott, York's director of education, said it was tempting to assume funding was being kept back, but he suspected the truth was more complicated.
      • When the pasta is ready, drain through a colander - keeping back a bit of the water - and tip immediately onto the egg yolk- and Parmesan mix, and ensuring that 1-2 tbsp of the cooking water goes with it.
      • The blunder was made in calculating how much of the grant should go to schools and how much kept back for administration.
      Synonyms
      reserve, keep in reserve, put by, save, save up, store up, put aside, lay aside, set aside, hoard, treasure
      1. 1.1Decline to disclose something.
        Example sentencesExamples
        • You know, you have to watch the behaviors, too, and see if they seem to be keeping something back.
        • I have a feeling they're keeping something back for a second series.
        • And yet, and yet… something of yourself should always be kept back in the cop game.
        • He denied he kept back the Ernst and Young report because he did not agree with some of its findings.
        • He has also discovered, through his relationship with Moore and their subsequent break-up, that he needs to keep something back.
        • Sorry mum, every daughter keeps a few things back y'know…
        • And even if directors were found to have wrongly kept back information they could not be fined, Sir Howard said.
        • I've kept this post back for a long time and altered a few key details, just in case my employers think they can identify us and use this blog as a stick with which to beat me.
        Synonyms
        conceal, keep secret, keep hidden, hide, withhold, suppress, keep quiet about, not tell, not reveal, not divulge, hush up
      2. 1.2Prevent tears from flowing.
        Example sentencesExamples
        • I stepped back from her, blinking hard to keep my tears back and walked towards the car.
        • I tried to speak but when I tried to explain I was choking to keep my tears back.
        • I closed my eyes and desperately tried to keep the tears back.
        • She stared blankly at the empty chair across from her while trying to fight a losing battle of keeping her tears back.
        • I chewed on the inside of my cheek to keep the tears back.
        • She stayed silent, trying to keep her tears back.
        • ‘You shouldn't have done that,’ I said quietly, trying to keep the tears back, afraid of seeing Chris again.
        • She bit her lip gently, trying to keep the tears back.
        • Tears were stinging in my eyes and I struggled to keep them back.
        • I concentrated on keeping the tears back and said nothing.
  • keep down

    • Stay hidden by crouching or lying down.

      Keep down! There's someone coming
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The building was full of smoke, so I held my breath, kept down low and squirted the contents of the extinguisher.
      • As we neared the shore we were ordered to keep down to avoid getting wounded should the enemy start shelling the incoming craft.
      • I'm much taller than the children on the field and they keep hissing at me to keep down.
      • ‘Keep down, and don't even breathe!’ I whispered.
  • keep someone down

    • Hold someone in subjection.

      but others doubted the injury would keep him down that long
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Even an investigation by the Inland Revenue's special compliance unit and a brain tumour could not keep him down.
      • We live in a negative world where we are constantly bombarded with bad news, hurtful gossip and sometimes people we hold in high regard trying to keep us down all the time.
      • This was never out of any desire to see women treated with respect as equals - rather it was one way of keeping us down.
      • Yes, we're suffering, yes, we're on our knees, but you're not going to keep us down.
      • Stop whining about how the system is keeping you down!
      • We are in no way an underdog province beneath the thumb of a national environment ministry bent on keeping us down.
      • Work is shown as unremitting drudgery, keeping us down and continually reminding us of our essential failure.
      • He's ticked off because he's being robbed and humiliated right now, kept down by poverty and the lack of a level playing field.
      • I used to think that all women, like most men, were kept down by the evil capitalists who controlled the country, but I never saw myself as carrying this oppressive gene.
      • He was out there to prove that nothing was going to keep him down and full credit to him.
      Synonyms
      keep in subjection, keep in submission, hold down, keep down, keep under one's thumb, subdue, subject, suppress, repress, oppress, tyrannize over, tyrannize
  • keep something down

    • 1Cause something to remain at a low level.

      the population of aphids is normally kept down by other animals
      Example sentencesExamples
      • They had kept the noise down to an acceptable level.
      • On the positive side, Bulgarian resourcefulness in recycling and reuse has kept down the volume of waste.
      • The average occupancy is nine months and intensive management is the key to our success in keeping down the number of empty flats.
      • More pay for women, better childcare and better quality workers through continuous training are the keys to keeping down unemployment in Ireland.
      • They want flexible design, but staff costs kept down.
      • He said the fares were being kept down to reasonable levels despite the steep increase in petrol prices.
      • One other way that the cost of living could be kept down is by Government refraining from increasing taxes of any kind.
      • He said that prices will be kept down even if it meant forgoing some profit.
      • Like all the other high street retailers it was striving to cut costs to keep prices down and remain competitive.
      • We are keeping down congestion levels and increasing dramatically the number of people who travel by public transport.
    • 2Retain food or drink in one's stomach without vomiting.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • She had been sick before but when I rang last night they said she had kept her food down and I was able to speak to her and she seems all right.
      • Mild nausea and occasional vomiting aren't a threat to your baby's health as long as you're able to keep some food down and drink plenty of fluids.
      • The child could keep no food down, and grew weaker by the day.
      • I can feel his upper body tense up as he's fighting to keep the food down, and pass him a glass of water.
      • She eventually lost her voice and couldn't keep any food down.
      • I managed to keep the food down but didn't feel any better until I had a couple of bottles of beer early evening.
      • His stomach is a bit irritable, but he's kept down macaroni and cheese and some pretzels.
      • His stomach had barely kept the coffee down that morning.
      • He was thirsty, but couldn't keep the water down after he drank it.
      • You're cold and tired because your blood pressure is low and you've been unable to keep any food down.
      Synonyms
      digest, keep down, find palatable, manage to consume, manage to eat, swallow
  • keep from (or keep someone from)

    • Avoid (or cause someone to avoid) doing something.

      Dinah bit her lips to keep from screaming
      he could hardly keep himself from laughing
      Example sentencesExamples
      • If you're over 40, you remember how you thought inflation would keep you from ever finding a job.
      • Their parents, too, reported that the children's oral health problems kept them from playing with other kids and disrupted their sleep.
      • Parents who speak in complete sentences will have children, by and large, who will do so, especially if they are kept from watching television and motion pictures.
      • Avoiding the person will keep you from reinforcing the feelings you have toward them.
      • For example, it is particularly striking that almost half of the Hispanic Spanish speakers in this study believed that the two-way program kept them from dropping out of school.
      • I can't recall ever actually watching a sunrise, and I guess technically I didn't see one yesterday since the rain clouds kept us from actually seeing the sun at all.
      • Health problems kept him from traveling.
      • Still, one wonders what has kept Faber from producing a paperback edition for so long.
      • It's sort of like this snorting sound - loud enough to keep us from ever sleeping again, yet quiet enough not to wake the neighborhood.
      • This process was a valuable tool in breaking through the walls that kept them from understanding themselves.
      Synonyms
      refrain from, stop oneself, restrain oneself from, prevent oneself from, manage not to, forbear from, resist the temptation to, forgo, avoid
      prevent, stop, hinder, impede, hamper
  • keep something from

    • 1Cause something to remain a secret from (someone).

      Example sentencesExamples
      • He kept the secret from his family until the final show was broadcast.
      • They understand that shared knowledge is much more powerful than if it is kept from the larger group.
      • Don't you think you've kept enough secrets from me?
      • I had no idea what he had in mind and everyone kept the secret from me.
      • She's kept something from her, on purpose, because she was afraid it would change what she thinks of her.
      • Then I realized that not telling you would be the same as lying if I deliberately kept something from you.
      • Most teens/pre-teens spend a great deal of time keeping secrets from their parents.
      • He was her best friend, and they never kept secrets from each other.
      • I told the mother the first thing in the morning, but we kept it from the children as long as we could.
      • My daughter pierced her belly button without permission and kept it from me until I discovered it by accident.
      Synonyms
      keep secret, keep hidden, hide, conceal, withhold, hush up, not tell, suppress, censor, redact
    • 2Cause something to stay out of.

      she could not keep the dismay from her voice
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Dirk spoke haltingly, trying to keep the unfettered emotion from his voice.
      • She kept the sadness from her eyes as she answered him with a kiss.
      • Francesca nodded slowly, trying desperately to keep the laughter from her voice.
      • Em was hard pressed to keep the grin from her face as she watched him go.
  • keep someone in

    • Confine someone indoors or in a particular place.

      he should be kept in overnight for a second operation
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He later went to North Manchester General Hospital where he was kept in overnight for observation.
      • Since that first episode, my sister has been sectioned six times - the last time was the worst, when she was kept in for seven months, including Christmas, new year and, most heartbreakingly of all, her 30th birthday.
      • The woman was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she has been kept in for observation.
      • Everyone has kept their children in today, they are so shocked and can't see why it has happened.
      • They got her under control, got the insulin levels stable and kept her in for a day or so to make sure all was well.
      • They were worried that he might have damaged a joint so wanted to keep him in overnight.
      • The doctors decided to keep him in overnight because they were worried about the injury to his eye.
      • An ambulance took the child to the hospital, where she was kept in for observation overnight.
      • But on arriving at the hospital the pain eased, and doctors decided to keep her in for 48 hours to check on her condition.
      • He was kept in for tests and an X-ray.
  • keep something in

    • Restrain oneself from expressing a feeling.

      he wanted to make me mad, but I kept it all in
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I keep my sadness in, when it probably would feel better to get it out.
      • Usually, I can manage to keep it all in. At most, I’ll let a few tears trickle down my cheeks.
      • My mother used booze and drugs to deal with her anger and my father kept his anger in.
  • keep off

    • 1Avoid encroaching on or touching.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • Because of the presence of asbestos, fire fighters had largely kept off the factory site, and surrounded the fire instead using water jets.
      • Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire County Council have been working together to contact travellers and tell them to keep off the field until next week.
      • I think like with any big city, as long as you keep off the old side streets at night, you're OK.
      • The Foreign Office has advised Britons against travelling to Bolivia, and warned those already in the country to keep off the streets, not to travel, and to avoid any demonstrations.
      • We must promote football by keeping off the grass and not trampling on ethics.
      • We took a route that kept off the main road as much as possible from Rozel on, and we passed the Neolithic Dolmen de Couperon before reaching St Catherine's Bay.
      • Organisers and government officials in the period prior to the Games tried to encourage as many Sydneysiders as possible to leave the city, or failing that to keep off the roads, in order to streamline transport to Olympic events.
      • All this time farmers have been ranting at walkers about keeping off their land: and here they are, not even cleaning their own farm vehicles properly.
      • Ready Mix Concrete, which owns Chigborough Lakes, near Drapers Lane, has put up signs advising people to keep off land close to the lakes near Drapers Farm.
      • We don't want the sort of garden where children can't kick a ball or have to keep off the grass.
      Synonyms
      stay off, not enter, keep away from, stay away from, not trespass on, remain at a distance from, not go near
      1. 1.1Avoid consuming or smoking.
        the first thing was to keep off alcohol
        Example sentencesExamples
        • He told her: ‘If you have kept off alcohol, not committed any offences and complied with the services, the worst that will happen to you will be a probation order.’
        • Mr Jack said he had kept off heroin and out of trouble since 1999.
        • She has kept off alcohol, except for one slip, and that is a great achievement for someone who has suffered alcohol abuse problems for many years.
        • He added: ‘I gave up smoking last May and decided I needed an incentive to keep off the ciggies and took up running.’
        • Declining the offer Seán had, ‘given up the drink for Lent and was keeping off it until after the election.’
        • I have kept off the alcohol today to make sure I didn't miss anything.
        • Just keep off the drink until after you've filed.
        Synonyms
        abstain from, go without, do without, renounce, refrain from, give up, forgo, forswear, resist, turn aside from, swear off, not touch
      2. 1.2Avoid (a subject).
        Example sentencesExamples
        • He kept off the core issues he usually loves to talk about and confined himself to cursory remarks.
        • They tried to keep off the subject of Hunter's mother by talking about the exam and what they were going to do on Saturday for Halloween but it was difficult.
        • He would goof off, smile, horse around, do anything to keep off the subject, but I could tell.
        • If the patient is not inclined to discuss her ailment, keep off the topic.
        • He had perked up and we got the impression that, provided we kept off politics, we could have stayed and chewed the fat all afternoon.
        • if you kept off sensitive subjects she was normal and charming.
        • As a result, the government is now taking a circuitous route and trying to avoid those controversial subjects by keeping off the topic or delaying the discussions.
        Synonyms
        avoid, steer clear of, stay away from, shun, evade, skirt round, sidestep, dodge, pass over, bypass
    • 2(of bad weather) fail to occur.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • The rain kept off and the day went really well.
      • Even the weather managed to behave itself, with the rain keeping off until the judging was well over.
      • I'll be watching the game tonight, I hope the bad weather keeps off.
      • And the rain did keep off… indeed for most of the week the rain kept off.
      • ‘I just hope that the rain is going to keep off,’ she said.
      Synonyms
      stay away, hold off, not start, not begin, not come, not happen
  • keep someone/something off

    • Prevent someone or something from encroaching on or touching.

      keep your hands off me
      Example sentencesExamples
      • So much good work has been done by the locals that it is vital, from now on, that all forms of litter are kept off the roadway and that the flower beds and baskets are maintained at their best.
      • It keeps kids off the streets and gives them a bit of exercise.
      • Umbrellas made as much of a style statement as hats, bags and shoes yesterday as racegoers battled to keep off the rain.
      • Large vans and lorries are kept off by a concrete and bollard bottleneck barrier.
      • Many stops along the way have no shelters whatsoever, while those available are often inadequate, with limited seating and insufficient cover to keep off a shower of rain.
      • If we persist in demonising young people - portraying them as trouble-makers who need to be kept off our streets - we shouldn't be surprised if some of them, at least, turn out to be demons.
      • The summer is when you really need centres such as this kept open as it keeps children off the streets.
      • I used to walk up and down the aisle passing sweets along the rows and making sure they kept their feet off the seats.
      • It covers the windshield keeping off ice, frost and snow sparing you from scraping your windows clean.
      • A lens cap not only guards against scratching, but also keeps off dirt and fingerprints, which can also reduce sharpness and contrast.
  • keep on

    • Continue to do (something)

      they would have preferred to keep on working
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I thought it odd that he kept on going into the soft dunes and not on the harder sand near the water.
      • Aware of all the falsity and all the impossibility of the situation, he still kept on applauding!
      • I kept on waiting until my tummy began to complain and then I shucked on my coat and went out to investigate.
      • I have always been a bit slow on the uptake, and I just kept on looking at the board and waiting for it to make sense.
      • He kept on falling over and he got kicked in the ribs, and once in the head.
      • This was January and I was positive I would be dead by March if I kept on taking drugs.
      • She kept on trying to talk to me in English even if her vocabulary was pretty limited.
      • We just let him play in the morning for a while, but he kept on asking when his dad was coming to take him out for presents.
      • He was challenged by police and ordered to put the weapon down but kept on walking.
      • When she was younger, I kept on telling her to elope and then return to tell everyone she was married.
      Synonyms
      continue, go on, carry on, persist in, persevere in, keep going with
  • keep on about

    • Speak about (something) repeatedly.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • I still haven't checked my cupboards for this damn contaminated food my Mother keeps on about.
      • ‘We keep on about needing to do things for young people affordable housing, skate parks but we don't deliver,’ he said.
      • Everyone keeps on about a new start for the New Year but I just feel sluggish and in desperate need of a major make-over.
      • Haley's friend apologised but Bradley kept on about it so Haley told him to stop moaning and get on with his game.
      • The preamble kept on about how many Stop the War demonstrations there had been in Trafalgar Square, unquestionably assuming that all right-thinking people would be of the same opinion.
      • But my Uncle was insistent and kept on about it being bizarre me wearing it.
      • That old man kept on about how the Puerto Ricans were coming around ruining his neighborhood, he had no idea that his real enemy was me.
      • She kept on about how they go drinking and how much fun they have on the beach at night.
      • So does she get upset when journalists keep on about it?
      • I told him he ought to just ask her to dinner or something, but he kept on about how he was going to have to impress her.
      Synonyms
      talk constantly, talk endlessly, talk repeatedly, keep talking, go on, go on talking, go on and on, dwell on the subject, refer to repeatedly, repeat oneself, ramble on, rant on
  • keep someone/something on

    • Continue to use or employ someone or something.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • Only 31 people have been kept on, to continue with its manufacturing operations until a new owner is found.
      • In industries that were not heavily unionised, however, some women were kept on - not least because they were cheaper to employ than men.
      • The 21 workers were kept on so the firm could be sold as a going concern by the receivers.
      • There were 24 redundancies, although seven people were kept on by the administrators to retain the pallet area.
      • A small number have been kept on to tie up loose ends before it permanently closes its doors next month.
      • Forty workers were kept on to keep the business going until a sale was secured.
      • The worker who lost his job said: ‘In January we were all assessed as to whether we would be kept on by the company - in effect reapplying for our jobs.’
      • He was made a political correspondent and was kept on by the Telegraph when it took over the Morning Post.
      • We've heard of other companies where, when contracts expired, people were kept on.
      • Most of the people he used to work with have been made redundant, but David has been kept on because he's brilliant at his job.
      Synonyms
      continue to employ, keep employing, carry on employing, retain in one's service, not dismiss, not sack, keep in one's employ, retain the services of
  • keep out (or keep someone/something out)

    • Remain (or cause someone or something to remain) outside.

      cover with cheesecloth to keep out flies
      Example sentencesExamples
      • We had the doors open most of the day, with mesh screens to keep the bugs out and the cats in.
      • When the gang threatened to park their caravans in the car park until they were paid, Mr Coates and members of the church put up a fence to keep them out.
      • Now the nursery needs to find funding for a new metal fence to keep the thugs out.
      • A fence keeps people out, but you can still see the massive shell of the tree, and imagine its beauty, from the road.
      • He was a motorbiking enthusiast who kept a Rottweiler and had erected barbed wire around part of his garden fence to keep intruders out.
      • Even the parts that are fenced don't keep them out all the time.
      • Do we (the paying spectator) have to pay for yet another fence to keep us out of an area that we previously had access to?
      • Screening windows and doors helps keep flies out of milk barns, pig parlors and homes.
      • Screens are good for keeping the bugs out, but they won't protect your kids.
      • They also use screening and filtration to keep insects out of rooms and sticky strips to catch those that do get in.
      Synonyms
      exclude, deny access to, shut out, debar, disbar, bar, ban, prohibit, put an embargo on, embargo
  • keep to

    • 1Avoid leaving (a path, road, or place).

      Example sentencesExamples
      • And off I sailed, keeping to the main road which was quite dry, and well salted.
      • Mr Timm added that followers were permitted to meet the hunt wherever they came from, as long as they kept to the roads and did not stray on to the surrounding fields.
      • Near the folly, a sign reads ‘Danger please keep to path, dangerous crevasses’.
      • Keep to the main access road which bears right and climbs gradually to the lane crossroads.
      • There are signs everywhere asking walkers not to cause further damage to the fragile moorland and to keep to the path, but it is obvious that many just don't care about the damage they cause.
      • He added: ‘All we ask is that people stay away from livestock, keep to the paths and don't take dogs.’
      • Traditionally at warm-up, teams keep to their respective ends of the pitch.
      • Cross the bridge and keep to the tarmac path from here which leads back to the car park.
      • She made up her mind that if she went one way, keeping to a straight path, she would eventually find the edge of the forest.
      • Special hi-tech cats' eyes have been set into the road to help drivers keep to the carriageway.
      Synonyms
      follow, follow closely, stick to, stay on
      1. 1.1Adhere to (a schedule).
        Example sentencesExamples
        • Buses are getting later and later and drivers are getting more stressed out trying to keep to impossible schedules.
        • If I can't keep to my routines I feel anxious.
        • It is impossible to keep to any kind of schedule.
        • However, work is being halted following failure to keep to the deadlines for completing construction.
        • The secret of keeping to an exercise schedule is to make it enjoyable and this man sure knows how to do it.
        • He set a rigorous study schedule for himself and worked hard to keep to it.
        • His only hope is that he won't be kept to a tight timetable.
        • We will adhere to the deadlines and keep to the timetable.
        • I kept to a regular schedule as much as possible, leaving myself the morning hours to get what I needed to do done and going to bed in the late afternoon.
        • Drivers and railway staff work under intense stress to keep to the tight timetables.
      2. 1.2Observe (a promise).
        Example sentencesExamples
        • We could be crucial in scrutinising whether the government keeps to its promises about reconstruction.
        • I have managed to keep to my promise to get back to the gym.
        • And let us all hope that this and future administrations keep to those promises.
        • Since 2000, the Executive has kept to its commitment to limit increases in the poundage rate to inflation.
        • We are trying to ensure Lincolnshire officials keep to that Government promise.
        • If you keep to that promise and do all my chores for the rest of the year, then I won't speak a word of it to anyone else.
        • I told you I am not running, and I am keeping to that promise.
        • However, the government has not kept to its promise.
        • ‘You made a solemn promise to your friends, keep to it,’ he advised them.
        • Either Zach made a promise to change, and kept to it, or she was out of his life forever.
        Synonyms
        obey, abide by, observe, follow, comply with, adhere to, act in accordance with, conform to, be governed by, respect, defer to
      3. 1.3Confine or restrict oneself to.
        nothing is more irritating than people who do not keep to the point
        Example sentencesExamples
        • To help you to keep to the point of your letter, you can draw up an outline to plan your letter.
        • Although now I drank a wide range of fluids I still kept to the restricted salad, fruit and lean food diet.
        • Yet Edwards didn't lose his cool, kept to his talking points (even if he did so a little too much), and was occasionally downright charming.
        • Instead, the vast majority of people who drive sensibly and keep to speed limits will have to live with ridiculous restrictions and longer queues as a result.
        • Ensure that topics of conversation are kept to literary or academic subjects.
        • He has kept to the script so far, but needs to actually start putting figures on things.
        • This time I obeyed all the traffic rules and kept to a safe speed.
        • They mostly skipped the ‘controversy’ and kept to interviews with the actors and theologians.
        • To Manchester's credit they performed admirably and kept to their game plan right to the death.
        • If Labour is hoping for a nice, tidy Scottish campaign, where everybody keeps to non-devolved issues and avoids the Scottish dimension, it could be in for a surprise.
        Synonyms
        stick to, restrict oneself to, confine oneself to
  • keep someone under

    • Hold a person or group in subjection.

      the local people are kept under by the army
      Example sentencesExamples
      • the true church is very much kept under by its enemies.
      • Before that time comes, he will have conquered our kingdom and our people and our cities, and kept them under by force of arms for many years.
      • Hungary was then regarded at Vienna as a conquered realm, whose naturally rebellious inhabitants could only be kept under by force of arms.
      Synonyms
      keep in subjection, keep in submission, hold down, keep down, keep under one's thumb, subdue, subject, suppress, repress, oppress, tyrannize over, tyrannize
  • keep up

    • 1Move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else.

      often they had to pause to allow him to keep up
      Example sentencesExamples
      • On weekends, I found that I could actually keep up with my husband when we went hiking or biking.
      • And when the pair split up to try to lose him, he kept up with one and finally managed to arrest him on the Beswick estate in Manchester.
      • This ensured that state pensions kept up with the rate at which salaries were rising.
      • Unions have been broken and pay has not kept up with inflation.
      • Ministry grants have not kept up with rising costs of education, including salary increases for teachers and support staff, and rising costs of utilities and supplies.
      • The level of funding increase that has been provided for schools and early childhood centres has not even kept up with the rate of inflation.
      • The truckers’ pay rates have not kept up with increasing fuel prices and maintenance costs.
      • As a result, U.S. factories haven't kept up with foreign rivals.
      • Some private economists believe the central bank should become more aggressive in raising interest rates, which haven't kept up with the recent acceleration in prices.
      • During the same period the typical investor lost 10 percent of his or her portfolio and workers' wages barely kept up with the rate of inflation.
      Synonyms
      keep pace, keep abreast
      keep pace with, keep abreast of
      1. 1.1Meet a commitment to pay or do something regularly.
        if you do not keep up with the payments, the loan company can make you sell your home
        Example sentencesExamples
        • It encourages my child to attend college regularly and punctually and keep up with the course work.
        • Janny felt healthier and had enough energy to keep up with her commitments.
        • According to the National Consumer Council, about six million families are already struggling to keep up with credit commitments at a time when borrowing is rising.
        • Despite everything she's been through she's always kept up with her school work.
        • Millions of middle-class families like these are working hard and trying to get ahead, but they just can't keep up with the health care costs.
        • Provided creditors agree, and the debtor keeps up with the payments laid out in the trust deed, he will usually be discharged from any remaining debt after three years.
        • Throughout filming she has kept up with her school work by email and is very level-headed.
        • I'm going to try to keep up with five updates a week, I really am.
        • If you don't keep up with repairs then things begin to deteriorate.
        • She has kept up with her exercise regime whereas mine has started and floundered quite a few times.
  • keep up with

    • 1Learn about or be aware of (current events or developments).

      Example sentencesExamples
      • It must be both fascinating and frustrating to be a medical doctor and have to keep up with all the research and new evidence that may be against accepted practices.
      • It is a place where pensioners meet other pensioners and keep up with news.
      • In order to keep up with current events throughout the world, I watch the news in the morning.
      • He thinks that some professionals aren't keeping up with the latest developments.
      • His work was based on the mathematics he learnt as a student and he appears not to have kept up with new developments.
      • Somewhere along the way he admits that he became disillusioned with the art world and, though he keeps up with its developments, he has not lifted a paintbrush in years.
      • Keeping up with science is probably easier than keeping up with current affairs.
      • She kept up with all the news of the day and took a keen interest in local and national events.
      • I keep up with news and current events, and love interacting with people in new situations.
      • She may have been far from clever, but she certainly kept up with all the palace's gossip.
      Synonyms
      keep informed about, keep up to date with, keep in touch with, not lose track of, keep abreast of, keep an eye on, learn about, retain an interest in
      1. 1.1Continue to be in contact with (someone).
        Example sentencesExamples
        • Then we were chatting more, and eventually keeping up with each other outside of work.
        • I kept up with Timmy for a while, but as often happens, once we no longer saw each other weekly, the emails became less and less frequent until they stopped.
        • It was very interesting to see how people were doing, but there were no surprise recognitions of people I should really have kept up with and haven't.
        • They each spend about seven to 10 hours a week keeping up with all of their contacts.
        • We were loved and cherished by the most extraordinary teachers, whom I actually kept up with in later life.
        • We had all visited him regularly to keep up with each other, and I for one, wrote a letter to him every week.
        • I haven't kept up with either of them, but I hear from them and every once in a while I'll see Brad on the circuit.
        Synonyms
        remain in contact with, stay in touch with, maintain contact with, remain in correspondence with, remain in communication with, keep up one's friendship with, remain acquainted with
  • keep someone up

    • Prevent someone from going to bed or to sleep.

      Example sentencesExamples
      • The fact is, some foods promote sleep, while others are bound to keep you up at night.
      • Thoughts like these kept Deirdre up most of the night, and she got little sleep.
      • So, are you planning to get some sleep, or are you planning to keep me up?
      • Try as I might, once again the noise kept me up and I couldn't sleep.
      • I can't even remember all the classes I slept through because you kept me up all night.
      • He kept us up until well past 4am with hilarious stories of an actor's life.
      • My mom says I slept all day and kept her up at nights.
      • What kept you up so late, I thought you were coming to bed?
      • It was painful enough last week that I had to call in a sick day as the pain kept me up most of the night.
      • It keeps you up for days, takes away all inhibitions and is as addictive if not more so than heroin.
  • keep something up

    • 1Maintain or preserve something in the existing state; continue a course of action.

      keep up the good work
      Example sentencesExamples
      • I've been slowly working up to getting up earlier (I had been getting up around 11 a.m.) and have kept it up most of the week.
      • If it was just an act, how could anyone have kept it up so convincingly for more than 20 years, without giving a glimpse of something intelligent underneath.
      • I didn't really keep it up continuously, but practiced occasionally in college.
      • As a result I'm spending about £10 a week less than I was and I intend to keep it up.
      • Articles like yours allow me to maintain faith in the American people - keep it up and may your voice get louder and louder!
      • I kept it up for a few years, until I was twelve or so, and then I gave it up on my own.
      • How long were you planning on keeping this childish play up?
      • So as long as this egoistic propaganda is kept up, India will continue to get the better of any encounters in the battlefield.
      • I was happy with the hunger we showed and I felt that if we kept it up we were in with a chance.
      • She gets top marks in every class and I know she will have a bright future if she keeps this up.
      Synonyms
      continue, keep on with, continue with, go on with, carry on with, persist with, persevere with
      1. 1.1Keep something in an efficient or proper state.
        the new owners could not afford to keep up the grounds
        Example sentencesExamples
        • There is generally a tighter management of the properties because Mum and Dad say, ‘You keep it up or the rents goes up’.’
        • We still can use volunteers to help keep up the garden.
        • My father-in-law has become quite ill and it's becoming increasingly difficult for my mother-in-law to keep up the house.
        • I've thought that the ugly house was the home of someone old and ill, someone who couldn't afford to keep it up, someone whose entire life was confined to one small room upstairs.
        • Volunteers help keep up the park through the seasons.
      2. 1.2Make something remain at a high level.
        he was whistling to keep up his spirits
        Example sentencesExamples
        • ‘I am feeling better every day, and all the good wishes of the many who have written have certainly kept my spirits up,’ she said.
        • All of the support helps to keep their morale up.
        • The Consumers Association has been supportive of our moves to try and keep standards up.
        • Catherine said: ‘It was pretty hard but luckily I had a lot of people who supported me and got me through and kept my confidence up.’
        • With cases of vomiting there is a risk of dehydration among children, so parents should make sure fluid levels are kept up.
        • We kept her spirits up and she has shown tremendous courage and determination.
        • We've got to show support for these young children to keep their enthusiasm up to become professional players.
        • Well, I'm older, and so I have to keep the energy level up.
        • She would tell me to pull myself together and kept my spirits up.
        • It is all done with a flowing pace that keeps the interest level up, managing to be both educational and entertaining.

Origin

Late Old English cēpan ‘seize, take in’, also ‘care for, attend to’, of unknown origin.

 
 
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更新时间:2024/12/23 19:23:15