keep up

keep up
phrasal verb
Word forms "keep up":
present tense I/you/we/they keep up he/she/it keeps up present participle keeping up past tense kept up past participle kept up
1)
a) [transitive] to continue to do something

We're on a winning streak – hopefully we can keep it up.

Keep up the good work.

The trade unions continued to keep up pressure for higher wages.

b) to continue to pretend that something is true

She tried to appear cheerful but couldn't keep it up.

His family kept up the pretence that he had been ill.

2)
a) [intransitive] to move at the same speed as someone or something

Try to keep up!

keep up with someone:

He had to hurry to keep up with her.

b) to make progress or learn at the same speed as someone or something

By studying hard she managed to keep up.

keep up with someone:

We always try to keep up with our competitors.

3) [intransitive] to continue to learn about something or find out about something, so that you know the latest things that are happening
keep up with:

We try to keep up with what's happening.

4) [intransitive] to continue to understand what someone is saying

I told you she's my sister, not my girlfriend. Keep up!

keep up with:

I found myself unable to keep up with the conversation.

5) keep someone up
[transitive] to prevent someone from going to bed

It's late. I'd better not keep you up any longer.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • 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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