Archive for the ‘Vocabulary’ Category

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