Phrasal verbs with Keep


Here is a list of phrasal verbs with 'Keep'

Keep at

to continue doing or working on something:
  • Don't give up and keep at it.

Keep away

to not approach someone or something:
  • Keep away from the cliff edge.

Keep back

1. (S) to refuse to tell someone all that you know about something:
  • I know she's keeping something back.
2. (S) to not allow your feelings to show:
  • She struggled to keep back the tears.
3. to not use all of something:
  • He kept back part of the money for himself.

Keep down

1. (S)  to prevent something from increasing or getting bigger:
  • They need to keep expenses down.
2. (S) to be able to swallow something without vomiting when you feel sick:
  • He can't keep anything down at all.
3. to prevent a group of people from having freedom:
  • My people have been kept down for decades.

Keep from

1. to stop yourself from doing something:
  • I could hardly keep from crying.
2. to not tell someone something:
  • Why are you keeping the truth from me?

Keep in with

British English, informal. to try to be friendly with someone:
  • I think I must keep in with the boss.

Keep in

British English. to make someone stay in a particular place, especially after school as a punishment, or to make someone to stay in hospital:
  • He has been kept in for observation.

Keep off

1. (S) to avoid touching someone or something:
  • Keep your hands off me!
2. to stay at a distance from a particular area of land:
  • Please keep off the grass.
3. to not eat, drink or smoke something:
  • I'm trying to keep off alcohol.

Keep on

to continue doing something:
  • He kept on writing.

Keep out

to not enter something, or to prevent someone or something from entering something:
  • The notice said, "Keep out!".

Keep out of

Informal. to avoid being involved in something:
  • You'd better keep your nose out of my business.

Keep to

1. to stay somewhere; to not leave something:
  • Please keep to the path.
2. to do what you are expected to do:
  • He has not kept to the plan.

Keep to yourself

British English. to avoid spending time with other people:
  • He was a quiet shy man who kept to himself all the time.

Keep up

1. to continue to do or provide something:
  • Keep up the good work!
2. to go, increase or change at the same speed as someone or something:
  • Salaries have not always keep up with inflation.
  • Could you slow down - I can't keep up.
3. to learn or be informed about something:
  • We try to keep up with the latest developments.
4. (S) to prevent someone going to sleep:
  • You kept me up all night.

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