Language Research

keep · verb

/kiːp/Full view

Word family

Nouns: keep, keeper, keeping

Adjectives: kept

Verbs: keep

keep (HAVE)

A2 T to have something permanently or for the whole of a period of time

Dictionary example:

Do you want this photograph back or can I keep it?

Learner example:

I can't keep the sofa because [it] is too big. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

keep sth in/on, etc.

A2 to regularly store something in a particular place

Dictionary examples:

Keep medicines in a locked cabinet.

We'll keep your application on file.

Learner example:

All my homework sheets were kept in that file. (Key English Test; A2; Bengali)

keep (STAY)

A2 T to (cause to) stay in a particular place or condition

Dictionary examples:

I wish you'd keep quiet.

I like to keep busy.

Keep left/right at the traffic light.

It was difficult for us to keep warm because the house had no heating.

He goes jogging twice a week to keep in shape.

John keeps the car spotlessly clean.

The noise from their party kept me awake half the night.

Learner example:

In the hotel you have to keep quiet and go to bed early. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

keep doing sth

B1 to continue doing something without stopping, or to do it repeatedly

Dictionary examples:

He keeps trying to distract me.

I kept hoping that he'd phone me.

Learner example:

I don't know why I wanted to meet her so much but my heart just kept telling me to go after her. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

keep in touch

B1 to communicate or continue to communicate with someone, for example by e-mail or telephone

Dictionary example:

We've kept in touch by e-mail for the last five years.

Learner example:

Please keep in touch with me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

keep (DELAY)

B1 T to delay someone or prevent them from doing something

Dictionary examples:

He's very late, what's keeping him?

She kept me talking on the phone for half an hour.

Don't let me keep you from your work.

Learner example:

I'm sure they won't try to keep you from having fun. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

keep a/sth secret

B1 to not tell anyone a secret/about something secret

Dictionary example:

Mr. Brown apparently delayed the announcement, and managed to keep it secret from the entire group.

Learner example:

I [had] loved Sean since sixth grade but I was keeping it a secret. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

keep sb waiting

B2 to be late so that someone has to wait for you

Dictionary examples:

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

The dentist kept me waiting for hours.

Learner example:

A week later, when we were going to have our second lesson, she kept us waiting for almost an hour. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

keep a/your promise

B2 to do what you promised to do

Dictionary example:

James kept his promise and repaid all of the money he had borrowed.

Learner example:

She didn't keep her promise and she ruined my life. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

keep notes/records, etc.

B2 to write something down in order to remember it

Dictionary example:

Remember to keep a record of how much you spend.

Learner example:

Furthermore, a computer helps us to keep records by saving file[s]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

keep (FOOD)

B2 I If food or drink keeps, it remains fresh.

Dictionary example:

Once opened, this product will keep for three days if refrigerated.

keep (ANIMALS)

B2 T to have and look after animals

Dictionary example:

Our neighbors keep chickens.

Learner example:

Oh, and I was surp[r]ised because your mother finally agreed to keep a dog. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

keep your/an eye on sb/sth

B2 to watch or look after someone or something

Dictionary example:

Could you keep an eye on this the soup for a minute?

Learner example:

You have to supply [e]verything they need and keep an eye on them all the time. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

keep sb company

B2 to stay with someone so that they are not alone

Dictionary example:

Come and keep me company, Isabel.

Learner example:

I wish you came and kept me company. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

keep sb/sth in mind

B2 to remember to consider someone or something that may be useful in the future

Dictionary example:

I'll keep you in mind if another job comes up.

Learner example:

But we should keep in mind that books improve our vocabulary and, what's more, our imagination. (First Certificate in English; B2; Czech)

keep track

C1 to continue to know about someone or something

Dictionary examples:

He changes jobs so often I can’t keep track anymore.

Be sure to keep track of the time so you won't be late.

Learner example:

Trying to keep track of these changes by translating them would be an inappropriate task. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

keep your word

C1 to do what you said you would do

Dictionary example:

He agreed to come and I'm sure he'll keep his word.

Learner example:

It turned out that the company that had been hired to organize it did not keep their word. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Norwegian)

keep sb going

C1 to provide what someone needs for a short period of time

Dictionary example:

Dinner is at eight, but I had an apple to keep me going.

Learner example:

Because of health concerns, advertisements lately show the people in Holland how important it is to have a good breakfast and that it will keep you going the whole day. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

keep pace with sb/sth

C1 to move or develop at the same speed as someone or something else

Dictionary example:

We have to keep pace with the changing times.

Learner example:

It was first published a century ago and what amazes people most is that [it] keeps pace with the development of the country without leaving out references to our history and tradition. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

keep a low profile

C1 to try not to be noticed

Dictionary example:

She has kept a low profile since the divorce.

Learner example:

Finally, I believe that the best way to handle these issues is to try to keep a low profile at all times and to remain indifferent to gossip. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

keep your cool

C1 to remain calm

Dictionary example:

You did well to keep your cool in all that panic.

Learner example:

Whatever the problem is, keep your cool, don't panic. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)

keep a cool head

C2 to remain calm in a difficult situation

Dictionary example:

To be successful in business, you need to keep a cool head in negotiations.

Learner example:

Kevin managed to keep a cool head and took over the navigation. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

keep your eyes open (for sb/sth)

C2 to watch carefully for someone or something

Dictionary example:

Keep your eyes open for anything unusual.

Learner example:

While staying in Turkey, for example, people ought to keep their eyes open. Look into life there. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep your eyes peeled (for sb/sth)

C2 to watch carefully for someone or something

Dictionary example:

Keep your eyes peeled, he should be here any minute.

Learner example:

Ever since, I try to keep my eyes peeled for anything similar. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

keep a straight face

C2 to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing

Dictionary example:

I can never play jokes on people because I can't keep a straight face.

keep your fingers crossed/cross your fingers

C2 to hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to, and to put a finger over the one next to it as a sign of that hope

Dictionary examples:

Let's keep our fingers crossed that she gets the job.

We're crossing our fingers and hoping that the weather stays fine.

Learner example:

Wish me luck, Winnie," she sighed "keep your fingers crossed, please." (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep your head above water

C2 to have just enough money to live or to continue a business

Dictionary example:

With extra income from private sponsorship, the club is just about managing to keep its head above water.

Learner example:

I also started to reali[z]e how much she had on her plate, how very little help she had and how, at times, she had to struggle just like me to keep her head above water. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

keep (sth) quiet

C2 to not talk about something

Dictionary example:

It might be wise to keep this quiet for a while.

Learner example:

They tried to keep it quiet but, somehow, half the village knew about the news in a few days. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

keep your temper

C2 to succeed in staying calm and not becoming angry

Dictionary example:

It was hard to keep my temper with so many things going wrong.

Learner example:

He never offends people and he keeps his temper even if someone insults him. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep sb on their toes

C2 to make sure that someone gives all their attention to what they are doing and is ready for anything that might happen

Dictionary example:

We have random inspections to keep everyone on their toes.

keep at sth

C2 to continue working hard at something difficult

Dictionary example:

Learning a language is hard but you've just got to keep at it.

Learner example:

Despite the fact that it requires patience, one should not work oneself up into a frenzy but keep at it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep (sb/sth) away

B2 to not go somewhere or near something, or to prevent someone from going somewhere or near something

Dictionary example:

I told them to keep away from the edge of the cliff.

Learner example:

But the animals themselves are being kept away from their natural environment in captivity. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

keep (sb/sth) back

B2 to not go near something, or to prevent someone or something from going past a particular place

Dictionary example:

The police struggled to keep the crowd back.

keep down sth or keep sth down

B2 to stop the number, level, or size of something from increasing

Dictionary example:

I have to exercise to keep my weight down.

Learner example:

That's also a way of keeping down the many accidents we have from fast cycling. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

keep sb/sth from doing sth

C1 to prevent someone or something from doing something

Dictionary example:

Try to keep the children from dropping food all over the floor.

Learner example:

But its beautiful graphics and very rich text will keep you from complaining too much. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

keep sth from sb

C2 to not tell someone about something

Dictionary example:

Is there something you're keeping from me?

Learner example:

They kept it from me. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

keep sb in

B1 to make a child stay inside, often as a punishment, or to make someone stay in a hospital

Dictionary example:

She kept the children in because it was so cold.

keep (sb/sth) off sth

B1 to not go onto an area, or to stop someone or something going onto an area

Dictionary example:

Keep off the grass.

keep sth off (sb/sth)

B2 to stop something touching or harming someone or something

Dictionary example:

He put a cloth over the food to keep the flies off.

keep on doing sth

B1 to continue to do something, or to do something again and again

Dictionary example:

She kept on asking me questions the whole time.

Learner example:

I kept on looking for him outside my building and in the park, but I still [haven't found] him. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

keep (sb/sth) out

B1 to not go into a place, or to stop someone or something from going into a place

Dictionary example:

The building was unsafe so they put up a sign saying "Danger - Keep out."

keep to sth

B2 If you keep to a plan/subject/path, etc., you stay with it.

Dictionary examples:

We need to keep to the agenda or the meeting will take too long.

I wish you'd keep to the point!

She kept to the main roads and was home before dark.

Learner example:

When the zoos keep to these and other important and necessary conditions and rules, I think it is not cruel to keep animals in zoos. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

keep sth to yourself

C2 If you keep something to yourself, you do not tell anyone else about it.

Dictionary example:

She usually keeps her opinions to herself.

Learner example:

She kept her thoughts to herself, her best friend being her diary. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep up sth or keep sth up

B1 to continue doing something or not allow it to fall to a lower level

Dictionary examples:

Keep up the good work.

Make sure you eat - you've got to keep your strength up.

Learner example:

This is my advice: give up sports to keep up your music classes. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

keep up (with sb/sth) (SAME SPEED)

B2 to move at the same speed as someone or something that is moving forward so that you stay level with them

Dictionary example:

She was walking so fast I couldn't keep up with her.

Learner example:

Unfortunately he was too fast and I couldn't keep up with him. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

keep up (with sb/sth) (UNDERSTAND)

B2 to be able to understand or deal with something that is happening or changing very fast

Dictionary example:

It's important to keep up with international news.

Learner example:

I live in London and I have to keep up with Turkish news for my job. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

keep up (with sth)

C2 to increase or make progress at the same speed as something or someone else so that you stay at the same level as them

Dictionary example:

Prices have been rising very fast and wages haven't kept up.

Learner example:

We need more and more of our natural [resources] to be able to keep up with the rise in population. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

keep (sth) up

C2 to continue doing something or continue something without change

Dictionary example:

He was having trouble keeping up the payments on his car.

Learner example:

The reason why a person becomes homeless is that he or she is not able to pay the rent or fails to keep up the mortgage payments. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)