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Phrasal verbs with 'KEEP'

KEEP AROUND – to continue to have something near you

Mr.Grey grabbed Mr.Purple's collar and grinned: “Don't even expect that I will let you leave. It’s better to keep you around to make sure you don't get us into a mess again"

KEEP AT – to continue to do or try something even if you want to stop

We still expect P. P. Fartin to keep at writing his books despite a very, very, very long hiatus.

KEEP AWAY – to prevent something or someone from coming closer, to avoid something

Almost every horror movie has a spooky old house that is told to be a place where many people died. But, of course, the main character will go there alone at night, instead of keeping away from it.

KEEP BACK – 1) to hide any information or feelings and emotions from someone; 2) to not come closer to something or someone; 3) to prevent something or someone from having any progress; 4) to keep a part of something to use it at a later time

I suspected that the inspector kept something back (1) about Jackson's death but I couldn't prove it since the police made everybody keep back (2) from the crime scene. The lack of evidence kept my investigation back (3). The only thing I knew was that Jackson kept back (4) about half of the money his gang stole a month earlier.

KEEP DOWN – 1) to not stand straight, to hide; 2) to decrease a noise level; 3) to prevent someone to have much freedom, to control them; 4) to control the number, level or size of something and not allow it to increase; 5) to stop from making any progress

My friends, let's stop to keep down (1)! For many years we've been forced to keep our voices down  (2) and not to speak about things we've not been satisfied with. For decades we've been like slaves whose masters kept them down (3) and punished for disobeying. And today, it's impossible for them to keep the number of angry people down (4). We must become braver and nothing can keep us down (5) now, we will achieve what we want!

KEEP FROM  – *keep something from somebody 1) to hide some information or feelings from someone; *keep somebody from something 2) to prevent somebody or oneself from doing something; * to keep something from something 3) to not let something happen

It was blindingly obvious that Calmy kept this news from (1) Spunky to keep him from (2) breaking into the head office and making a scandal. This situation should be kept from (3) escalating.

KEEP IN – 1) to stay indoors, especially as a punishment or a necessity (in a hospital); 2) to hide emotions and feelings

The doctors said my father had to be kept in (1) for a month or two. My father didn’t say anything but I saw him keeping his fear in (2).

KEEP IN WITH – to maintain a good, friendly relationship with someone for one’s own benefit

Mr. Stupit, despite the family name wasn't proud of, understood 3 important things very well: 1) he should never be late; 2) he should keep abreast of all the rumors and news in the office, but never take any sides 3) he should keep in with his boss no matter what.

KEEP OFF –1) to not fall down (about precipitations); 2) to not go to a particular place; 3) to prevent someone/oneself or something from touching something; 4) to avoid talking about something

It is a pretty calm month for the citizens of Armageddon: the toxic rain keeps off (1) during this period. Nevertheless, everyone tries to keep off (2) the roofless places. Just in case. Everyone of them remembers well what may happen if you don't keep yourself off (3) the poisoned raindrops. Lots of people became victims of the toxic precipitations and now citizens try to keep off (4) the subject of this tragedy.

KEEP ON –1) to continue to talk in a very annoying manner (prep. at someone); 2) to continue to perform any type of activity, continue to happen

Rosie is keeping on about her bestie. It’s driving me crazy because, IMHO, Rosie’s friend isn’t soooo cool to keep on talking about her.

KEEP OUT – to continue staying outside or prevent someone from entering

Oh, my sis invited her crush to our place. So, I better keep out of it for half an hour.

KEEP TO – 1) to do what you planned, promised or were supposed to do; 2) not deviate from the topic /subject of the conversation; 3) to follow a necessary direction, not moving away from the path

The old master Shi Fu taught his student to follow two rules: to keep to (1) a timetable and keep to (2) the subject of a conversation as a wayfarer who keeps to (3) his path. These two rules encourage a high sense of responsibility and the ability to conduct a dialogue wisely.

KEEP UP – 1) to maintain something at a high level; 2) to continue happening or doing something without interruption; 3) to prevent somebody from going to bed

The drought keeps the prices on vegetables up (1). Let’s just hope the rainy weather keeps up (2) for a couple more days. And now, grandpa, I don't want to keep you up (3) talking about our business problems. Just take a rest, everything will be fine.

KEEP UP WITH – 1) to move at the same (usually high) speed as smth; 2) to be up-to-date with smth;  3) to stay in contact with someone;

When I was a kid, I couldn't keep up with (1) my big brother who walked too fast. And now I can't keep up with (2) what’s happening in this crazy world, even though I want to. That's why I need to keep up with (3) my old friends to share the news about the latest events.


Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with 'keep' here:

Test 1

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