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Phrasal verbs with KEEP

Here we have explanations for 12 phrasal verbs which are based on the verb 'keep'

Keep on

  • Continue doing something
    Examples:
    • She kept on trying until she understood.
    • If you keep on practicing your English, you will improve very quickly.

Keep down

  • Control, stop something growing or increasing
    Examples:
    • The government is trying to keep down inflation.
    • Please keep your voice down because the baby is sleeping.
  • Manage to not vomit
    Examples:
    • The medicine helped him keep down his breakfast.
    • The drink was awful and I really struggled to keep it down.

Keep up

  • Continue at the same level or speed
    Examples:
    • It's hard to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
    • She studies every day to keep up with her classmates.

Keep off

  • Stay away from something
    Examples:
    • Please keep off the grass!
    • Let's keep off that topic, it makes her upset.
    • The doctor advised him to keep off his injured foot for a few days.

Keep to

  • Follow rules, stay with a plan
    Examples:
    • Let's keep to the schedule so we finish on time.
    • It's important to keep to your budget when you go shopping.

Keep around

  • Have something near you
    Examples:
    • I always keep a notebook around to write down ideas.
    • It's a good idea to keep a first-aid kit around the house.

Keep out

  • Not enter a place
    Examples:
    • The sign on the door said "Danger! Keep out!".
    • These curtains help to keep out the cold in the winter.

Keep from

  • Control something
    Examples:
    • The movie was so funny, I couldn't keep from laughing.
    • We tried to keep him from making a mistake.

Keep back

  • Maintain a safe distance from something
    Examples:
    • You have to keep back from the edge of the platform.
    • The police asked the crowd to keep back from the fire.

Keep at

  • Continue working on something difficult, not give up
    Examples:
    • He kept at the project until he finished.
    • Learning guitar is hard, but if you keep at it, you'll get better.

Keep in

  • Not allow to go out
    Examples:
    • The heavy rain kept us in all afternoon.
    • The teacher kept the students in after class because they were noisy.

Keep in with

  • Stay friendly with someone, often for practical reasons
    Examples:
    • He tries to keep in with his boss to get the promotion.
    • She keeps in with her neighbors by helping them sometimes.