keep
[ keep ]
/ kip /
verb (used with object), kept, keep·ing.
to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own: If you like it, keep it. Keep the change.
to hold or have the use of for a period of time: You can keep it for the summer.
to hold in a given place; store: You can keep your things in here.
to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.: to keep watch; to keep step.
to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action: to keep a light burning; to keep a child happy.
to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor: He keeps his car in good condition.
to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve: If you want to keep meat for a long time, freeze it.
to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner: They kept him in jail.
to cause to stay in a particular place; prevent or restrain from departure: The work kept her at the office.
to have regularly in stock and for sale: to keep a large supply of machine parts.
to maintain in one's service or for one's use or enjoyment: to keep a car and chauffeur.
to associate with: She keeps bad company.
to have the care, charge, or custody of: She keeps my dog when I travel.
to refrain from disclosing; withhold from the knowledge of others: to keep a secret.
to withhold from use; reserve; save: I'll keep this toy until you learn to behave. Keep the good wine for company.
to hold back or restrain: They kept the child from talking. Nothing can keep him from doing it.
to maintain control of; regulate: to keep the peace; to keep your temper.
to maintain by writing: to keep a diary.
to record (business transactions, daily occurrences, etc.) regularly: to keep records; to keep a list of visitors.
to observe; pay obedient regard to (a law, rule, promise, etc.).
to conform to; follow; fulfill: to keep one's word.
to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites: to keep Christmas.
to maintain or carry on, as an establishment, business, etc.; manage.
to guard; protect: He kept her from harm.
to maintain or support: It costs more each year to keep a house.
to support or contribute to the support of in return for sexual or other favors.
to take care of; tend: to keep a vegetable garden.
to raise (livestock): These farmers keep goats and cattle.
to remain in (a place, spot, etc.): Please keep your seats.
to maintain one's position in or on: He kept the job.
to continue to follow (a path, track, course, etc.).
to maintain in active existence, as an assembly, court, or fair.
verb (used without object), kept, keep·ing.
to continue in an action, course, position, state, etc.: to keep in sight; to keep going.
to remain, or continue to be, as specified: to keep cool.
to remain or stay in a particular place: to keep indoors.
to continue unimpaired or without spoiling: The food will keep on ice.
to admit of being reserved for a future occasion: I have more to tell you, but it will keep.
to keep oneself or itself as specified (followed by away, back, off, out, etc.): Keep off the grass.
to restrain oneself; refrain (usually followed by from): Try to keep from smiling.
noun
board and lodging; subsistence; support: to work for one's keep.
the innermost and strongest structure or central tower of a medieval castle.
keeps, (used with a singular verb)
a game of marbles in which the players keep the marbles they have won.
Verb Phrases
keep at,
to persist in; be steadfast: You'll never master your French unless you keep at it.
keep back,
- to hold in check; restrain: The dikes kept back the floodwaters.
- to stay away from: The crowds would not keep back from the barrier.
- to refuse to reveal: The prisoner was keeping back vital information.
keep down,
- to hold under control or at a reduced or acceptable level: to keep your voice down.
- to prevent from going up or increasing: to keep prices down.
keep in with,
to stay in someone's favor; be on good terms with: They are social climbers who make certain to keep in with all the right people.
keep on,
to continue; persist: If you keep on singing they'll ask you to leave.
keep to,
- to adhere to; conform to: She keeps to the rules.
- to confine oneself to: to keep to one's bed.
keep up,
- to maintain an equal rate of speed, activity, or progress with another or others.
- to persevere; continue.
- to maintain the good condition of; keep in repair.
- Also keep up on/with. to stay informed: to keep up on current events.
- to match one's friends, neighbors, business associates, etc., in success, affluence, etc.
Idioms for keep
- under the stipulation that one keeps one's winnings.
- with serious intent or purpose.
- finally; permanently: They decided to settle the argument for keeps.
for keeps, Informal.
keep books,
to maintain financial records.
- to remain aloof from the society of others.
- to hold (something) as secret or confidential: I'll tell you only if you promise to keep it to yourself.
keep tab/tabs on.
tab1(def 15).
keep time.
time(def 50).
keep to oneself,
keep track of.
track(def 38).
Origin of keep
before 1000; Middle English
kepen, Old English
cēpan to observe, heed, watch, await, take; perhaps akin to Old English
gecōp proper, fitting,
capian to look, Old Norse
kōpa to stare
SYNONYMS FOR keep
1
Keep,
reserve,
retain,
withhold refer to having and holding in possession.
Keep (a common word) and
retain (a more formal one) agree in meaning to continue to have or hold, as opposed to losing, parting with, or giving up:
to keep a book for a week.
To reserve is to keep for some future use, occasion, or recipient, or to hold back for a time:
to reserve judgment.
To withhold is generally to hold back altogether:
to withhold help.
6 preserve.
8 detain, confine.
41 donjon, dungeon, stronghold.
OTHER WORDS FROM keep
keep·a·ble, adjective keep·a·bil·i·ty, nounWords nearby keep
Example sentences from the Web for keep
Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.
“Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV,” she continued.
I think if you keep trying to do things the same way it becomes diminishing returns.
Ney said McDonnell needs to “keep a stiff lip” and stay in close contact with family members.
Abramoff’s Advice for Virginia’s New Jailhouse Guv |Tim Mak, Jackie Kucinich |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
I keep meeting more and more people where that seems to be the case.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness |Marlow Stern |January 7, 2015 |DAILY BEASTThat was the sole purpose, although I and the rest of us are getting special instruction to keep us occupied.
Warning from the Stars |Ron CockingMaybe we'll have to relay him some instrument checks, to keep him busy.
Suzy |Watson ParkerKeep in mind that "the very ferocity of the natives of Tierra del Fuego protected them."
The Gold Diggings of Cape Horn |John R. SpearsAll the others, complaining of being sick, took their rest, except Mr. Hayward and Mr. Elphinston whom I directed to keep watch.
A Voyage to the South Sea |William Bligh"That will give you some time to rest, mother," said Paul, who wanted to keep back his good news for a while.
Paul the Peddler |Horatio Alger, Jr.
British Dictionary definitions for keep
keep
/ (kiːp) /
verb keeps, keeping or kept (kɛpt)
(tr)
to have or retain possession of
(tr)
to have temporary possession or charge of
keep my watch for me during the game
(tr)
to store in a customary place
I keep my books in the desk
to remain or cause to remain in a specified state or condition
keep the dog quiet; keep ready
to continue or cause to continue
keep the beat; keep in step
(tr)
to have or take charge or care of
keep the shop for me till I return
(tr)
to look after or maintain for use, pleasure, etc
to keep chickens; keep two cars
(tr)
to provide for the upkeep or livelihood of
(tr)
to support financially, esp in return for sexual favours
he keeps a mistress in the country
to confine or detain or be confined or detained
to withhold or reserve or admit of withholding or reserving
your news will keep till later
(tr)
to refrain from divulging or violating
to keep a secret; keep one's word
to preserve or admit of preservation
(tr sometimes foll by up)
to observe with due rites or ceremonies
to keep Christmas
(tr)
to maintain by writing regular records in
to keep a diary
(when intr, foll by in, on, to, etc)
to stay in, on, or at (a place or position)
please keep your seats; keep to the path
(tr)
to associate with (esp in the phrase keep bad company)
(tr)
to maintain in existence
to keep court in the palace
(tr) mainly British
to have habitually in stock
this shop keeps all kinds of wool
how are you keeping?
how are you?
keep tabs on informal
to keep a watchful eye on
keep track of See track (def. 15)
keep time See time (def. 42)
keep wicket
to play as wicketkeeper in the game of cricket
you can keep it informal
I have no interest in what you are offering
noun
living or support
he must work for his keep
archaic
charge or care
Also called: dungeon, donjon
the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
informal
- completely; permanently
- for the winner or possessor to keep permanently
Word Origin for keep
Old English
cēpan to observe; compare Old Saxon
kapōn to look, Old Norse
kōpa to stare
Idioms and Phrases with keep
keep
In addition to the idioms beginning with keep
- keep abreast of
- keep a civil tongue in one's head
- keep after
- keep a low profile
- keep an eye on
- keep an eye out for
- keep a sharp lookout
- keep a stiff upper lip
- keep a straight face
- keep at
- keep at arm's length
- keep a weather eye out
- keep back
- keep body and soul together
- keep company
- keep cool
- keep down
- keep from
- keep house
- keeping up with the Joneses
- keep in mind
- keep in the dark
- keep in touch
- keep in with
- keep it up
- keep late hours
- keep off
- keep on
- keep one's chin up
- keep one's cool
- keep one's distance
- keep oneself to oneself
- keep one's end up
- keep one's eye on the ball
- keep one's eyes open
- keep one's fingers crossed
- keep one's hand in
- keep one's hands off
- keep one's head
- keep one's mouth shut
- keep one's nose clean
- keep one's nose to the grindstone
- keep one's own counsel
- keep one's powder dry
- keep one's shirt on
- keep one's temper
- keep one's wits about one
- keep one's word
- keep pace
- keep posted
- keep quiet
- keep tabs on
- keep the ball rolling
- keep the lid on
- keep the peace
- keep the wolf from the door
- keep time
- keep to
- keep to oneself
- keep track
- keep under one's hat
- keep under wraps
- keep up
- keep watch
- keep your . . .
also see:
- earn one's keep
- finders keepers, losers weepers
- for keeps
- in keeping
- (keep someone) in the dark