Idioms and phrasal verbs with keep
December 2nd, 2010 in Vocabulary
Keep hold of something: don’t let it go
Keep something in mind: remember it
Keep one’s temper: remain calm
Ann was really upset with Joe, but she kept her temper.
Keep one’s family in clothes: support; provide what is necessary for
He earns enough to keep his family in clothes. (= He earns enough to keep his family in comfort.)
Keep at: (cause to) work persistently at
Keep from: abstain from; refrain from
You should keep from drinking and smoking.
Keep in: restrain one’s feelings etc.
Keep in with somebody: remain on good terms with somebody
Keep one’s hand in something: practise in order to retain one’s skill in something
Keep off: stay at a distance
Keep on: continue
He kept on working although he was tired.
Don’t keep on asking silly questions.
Keep under: control; hold down
Keep it up: go on without slackening
Keep up appearances: behave as usual in spite of a change in circumstances
As they always keep up appearances you will never know if they have any problems.
Keep up with: go on at the same rate as
Keep (oneself) to oneself: avoid the society of others
Nobody knows anything about her; she always keeps herself to herself.
Keep something to oneself: refuse to share it
Keep pace with: go at the same rate as
Keep track of: keep in touch with the progress of
I’ve never been very good at keeping track of what I do with my money.
For keeps: permanently (colloquial)
In keeping with something: in harmony or agreement with something