keep

keep
I UK [kiːp] / US [kɪp] verb
Word forms "keep":
present tense I/you/we/they keep he/she/it keeps present participle keeping past tense kept UK [kept] / US past participle kept
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1)
a) [intransitive] to stay in a state, position, or place without changing or moving

Keep still while I brush your hair.

People kept quiet because they were afraid.

I walked along the hall, keeping close to the side.

b) [transitive] to make someone or something stay in a state, position, or place

Keep her warm and give her plenty to drink.

Police tried to keep the two rival groups apart.

Why can't we just keep things simple?

keep someone/something under observation:

The patient is being kept under observation.

keep someone/something under control:

They do not understand the importance of keeping costs under control.

2) [transitive] to do something many times, or to continue doing it
keep doing something:

I keep on telling you but you won't listen.

Keep taking the tablets.

I keep forgetting to put the answering machine on.

a) [transitive] to make someone continue doing something
keep someone doing something:

Sorry to keep you waiting.

She kept me talking for forty-five minutes.

b) [transitive] to make something continue to operate or exist
keep something doing something:

We need more money to keep the farm going.

c) [intransitive/transitive] used when giving directions, for telling someone to continue in a particular direction
keep right/left/straight on:

Don't go left down Priory Road: keep straight on.

keep on/going:

Keep on until you reach the traffic lights.

3) [transitive] to continue to have or own something

I think we should keep this one and sell the others.

a) used when you allow someone else to have something

I've got two copies, so you can keep that one.

She told the waiter to keep the change.

b) used about things that are important to you

How can I stay here and keep my self-respect?

Most employees will keep their jobs when the company changes hands.

4)
a) [transitive] to store something in a particular place so that you know where it is

Read this letter carefully, and keep it in a safe place.

Where do you keep the washing powder?

b) to store information by writing it or putting it into a computer

We keep all these transactions on file.

keep a record/keep records:

Some companies do not keep detailed records.

keep a diary/journal:

Every member of the group has to keep a diary.

5)
a) [transitive] to control something so that it stays within a limit

Costs must be kept within reasonable limits.

b) [intransitive] to stay within a limit
keep within:

I am trying to keep within budget.

6) [transitive] to do what you said you would do

If you cannot keep your appointment, please let us know.

keep a promise:

I have tried to keep my promise.

keep your word:

He promised the family, and I think he will keep his word.

7) [transitive] to provide money for yourself or someone else, in order to pay for the food, clothes, and other things that you or they need

She keeps the family on two hundred pounds a week.

keep someone in something (= pay for them to buy it):

His pay doesn't even keep the family in food.

8) [transitive] to own animals and look after them

A few cows are kept to provide milk, cheese, and cream.

I have been keeping tropical fish for twenty years.

9) [intransitive] if food or other substances keep for a particular period of time, they stay in good condition for that period of time

Perfume doesn't keep indefinitely, you know.

keep for:

The sauce will keep for two weeks in the fridge.

10) [intransitive, always progressive] British spoken used for asking if someone is well

Are you keeping well?

How are you keeping?

11) [transitive] spoken to delay someone

What kept you?

I won't keep you long.

•

you can't keep a good man/woman down — spoken used when someone who you like or approve of has managed to deal with criticism or a difficulty

Phrasal verbs:
See:
eye I, house I

II UK [kiːp] / US [kɪp] noun
Word forms "keep":
singular keep plural keeps
1) [uncountable] the cost of the food and the other things such as clothes that you need to live

We only need two rooms and our keep.

earn your keep:

Paul earns his keep by helping his elderly landlord.

2) [countable] a large strong tower in the centre of a castle
•

English dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Keep — (k[=e]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kept} (k[e^]pt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Keeping}.] [OE. k[=e]pen, AS. c[=e]pan to keep, regard, desire, await, take, betake; cf. AS. copenere lover, OE. copnien to desire.] 1. To care; to desire. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] I… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • keep — [kiːp] verb kept PTandPP [kept] 1. [transitive] to store something that will be useful: • The Credit Reference Agency keeps files on individuals debt records. • You should keep a supply of forms. 2 …   Financial and business terms

  • Keep — Keep, v. i. 1. To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • keep — vb 1 Keep, observe, celebrate, solemnize, commemorate are comparable when they mean to pay proper attention or honor to something prescribed, obligatory, or demanded (as by one s nationality, religion, or rank), but they vary widely in their… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • keep — [kēp] vt. kept, keeping [ME kepen < OE cœpan, to behold, watch out for, lay hold of, akin to MLowG kapen, ON kopa, to stare at < ? IE base * ĝab , to look at or for] 1. to observe or pay regard to; specif., a) to observe with due or… …   English World dictionary

  • keep — ► VERB (past and past part. kept) 1) have or retain possession of. 2) retain or reserve for use in the future. 3) put or store in a regular place. 4) (of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition. 5) continue in a specified condition,… …   English terms dictionary

  • Keep — Keep, n. 1. The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Pan, thou god of shepherds all, Which of our tender lambkins takest keep. Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. The state of being kept; hence, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • keep — keep; green·keep·er; house·keep; house·keep·er; keep·able; keep·er·ing; keep·er·ship; keep·sake; store·keep; keep·er; …   English syllables

  • Keep — 〈f. 20; Seemannsspr.〉 Kerbe, Rille * * * Keep, die; , en [aus dem Niederd. < mniederd. kēp, wohl verw. mit ↑ kappen] (Seemannsspr.): Rille, Kerbe (in einer Boje, einem Block, Mast o. Ä.), die einem darumgelegten Tau Halt gibt. * * * I Keep   …   Universal-Lexikon

  • keep — I (continue) verb be constant, be steadfast, carry forward, carry on, endure, extend, forge ahead, go on, keep going, last, lengthen, live on, maintain, move ahead, never cease, perpetuate, perseverare, persevere, persist, press onward, progress …   Law dictionary

  • keep — The construction keep + object + from + ing verb is idiomatic in current English: • His hands held flat over his ears as if to keep his whole head from flying apart Martin Amis, 1978. The intransitive use of keep + from + ing verb is recorded in… …   Modern English usage

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