To retain possession of: kept the change; must keep your composure.
To have as a supply: keep an ax in the shed.
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support: "There's little to earn and many to keep"(Charles Kingsley).
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
To raise: keep chickens.
To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
To detain: was kept after school.
To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To put customarily; store: Where do you keep your saw?
To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
To raise: keep chickens.
To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
To detain: was kept after school.
To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To maintain for use or service: an urbanite who didn't keep a car.
To manage, tend, or have charge of: Keep the shop while I'm away.
To preserve (food).
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action: tried to keep the patient calm.
To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
To detain: was kept after school.
To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To detain: was kept after school.
To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To adhere or conform to; follow: keep late hours.
To be faithful to; fulfill: keep one's word.
To celebrate; observe.
v.
intr.
To remain in a state or condition; stay: keep in line; keep quiet; kept well.
To continue to do: keep on talking; keep guessing.
To remain fresh or unspoiled: The dessert won't keep.
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back: I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
n.
Care; charge: The child is in my keep for the day.
The means by which one is supported: earn one's keep.
The stronghold of a castle.
A jail.
To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.
To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.
Phrasal Verb(s): keep atTo persevere in work or an action. keep down
To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.
keep offTo stay away from. keep toTo adhere to: keep to the original purpose. keep up
To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.
Idiom(s):
for keeps
For an indefinitely long period: gave the ring to me for keeps.
Seriously and permanently: We're separating for keeps.
Idiom(s):
keep an eye on
To watch over attentively; mind.
To watch closely or carefully: keep your eye on the ball.
Idiom(s):
keep an eye outTo be watchful.
Idiom(s):
keep a stiff upper lipTo be courageous or stoic in the face of adversity.
Idiom(s):
keep company
To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married.
To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.
Idiom(s):
keep (one's) chin upTo be stalwart, courageous, or optimistic in the face of difficulty.
Idiom(s):
keep (one's) eyes open/peeledTo be on the lookout.
Idiom(s):
keep (one's) nose clean Informal To stay out of trouble.
Idiom(s):
keep paceTo stay even with others, as in a contest.
Idiom(s):
keep (someone) companyTo accompany or remain with.
Idiom(s):
keep the wolf from the doorTo avoid the privation and suffering resulting from a lack of money: Both spouses had to work in order to keep the wolf from the door.
Idiom(s):
keep time
To indicate the correct time.
Music To maintain the tempo or rhythm.
Idiom(s):
keep to (oneself)
To shun the company of others: She kept to herself all morning.
To refrain from divulging: He kept the news to himself.
[Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan, to observe, seize.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to have and maintain in one's possession or control. Keep is the most general: We received a few offers but decided to keep the house. Retain means to continue to hold, especially in the face of possible loss: Though unhappy, he retained his sense of humor. Withhold implies reluctance or refusal to give, grant, or allow: The tenant withheld his rent until the owner fixed the boiler. To reserve is to hold back for the future or for a special purpose: The farmer reserved two acres for an orchard. See Also Synonyms at observe.
Ward off, avert, as in She used a bug spray to keep off the mosquitoes. [Mid-1500s]
Stay away from, not touch or trespass on; also, prevent from touching or trespassing. For example, They put up a sign asking the public to keep off their property, or Please keep your feet off the sofa. [Late 1500s] Also see hands off.
(kēp) 