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, nounWords nearby keep
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
Continue, persist, as in They kept on singing all night. [Late 1500s]
Maintain an existing situation, as in After Mr. Brown died, the housekeeper wondered if she would be kept on. [Mid-1600s]
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