English Vocabulary

Common Idioms and Phrases with Keep

Keep from (prevent, hold back, abstain from)

What kept you from joining me? (What prevented you from joining me?)
It is better to keep from smoking.

Keep away (avoid going, prevent somebody from going to or near)

I don’t know why she wants to keep the kids away from me.
He has been keeping away from the hostel for over a week.

Keep in (restrain one’s feelings etc.)

Her offensive manner did provoke him, but he kept in.

Keep off (cause something to stay at a distance)

Eat a balanced diet to keep diseases off.

The hood of the car keeps of the sun and the rain.

Keep on (continue)

He was tired, but he kept on working.
Don’t keep on asking silly questions.

Keep up (prevent (courage, spirits etc.) from sinking)

He wasn’t feeling very well, but he kept his spirits up.

Keep up (maintain)

We must try to keep up the reputation of our college.

Keep pace with (go at the same rate as)

He began to doze off after failing to keep pace with the lecture.

Keep in with (maintain good relationship with)

I believe in keeping in with my neighbours.

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