Idioms for keep

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, noun

British Dictionary definitions for keep on (1 of 2)

keep on

verb (adverb)

to continue or persist in (doing something) keep on running
(tr) to continue to wear
(tr) to continue to employ the firm kept on only ten men
(intr foll by about) to persist in talking (about)
(intr foll by at) to nag (a person)

British Dictionary definitions for keep on (2 of 2)

keep
/ (kiːp) /

verb keeps, keeping or kept (kɛpt)

noun

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 on (1 of 2)

keep on

1

Continue, persist, as in They kept on singing all night. [Late 1500s]

2

Maintain an existing situation, as in After Mr. Brown died, the housekeeper wondered if she would be kept on. [Mid-1600s]

3

Cause to stay on or remain attached, as in Keep your coat on; it's cold in here. [Late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with keep on (2 of 2)

keep