keep

keep — verb

1. to hold on to something so that you still have it after a period of time, rather

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to hold on to something so that you still have it after a period of time, rather than giving it away, losing it, or throwing it out

Example

Élise kept all the letters her grandfather sent her from Senegal.

keep + direct object (letters)

You can keep the change — I do not need any coins back.

Common collocations
  • keep the change
  • keep a copy
  • keep a record
  • keep a receipt
Synonyms
  • hold on to

    more informal; often used in spoken English when asking someone not to give something away

  • retain

    more formal; common in legal or official contexts

  • save

    suggests keeping something for future use rather than holding indefinitely

Antonyms
  • throw away

    to get rid of something as waste

  • discard

    more formal; to remove something no longer wanted

Grammar Patterns

keep + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently takes a concrete object (letter, receipt, ticket, copy). The opposite is "throw away" or "get rid of".

Common Mistakes

I keeped the book for two years.
I kept the book for two years.
'keep' is an irregular verb (keep → kept → kept).
Please stay the receipt for your records.
Please keep the receipt for your records.
'stay' cannot replace 'keep' when the meaning is 'retain possession'.

2. to own and be responsible for running a small business where you serve customers

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to own and be responsible for running a small business where you serve customers, such as a shop, café, or restaurant

Example

Uncle Roy kept a small bookshop in Oxford for nearly thirty years.

keep + a [type of] shop — British usage

Amihan's family kept a corner shop that sold fresh bread and newspapers.

Common collocations
  • keep a shop
  • keep a café
  • keep a restaurant
  • keep a stall
Synonyms
  • run

    the usual word for managing any type of business, large or small

  • own

    focuses on possession rather than daily management

Grammar Patterns

keep + shop/restaurant/café

Usage Note

Common in British English; used with small, often family-run shops rather than large department stores or chains. "Run" is more common for larger businesses; "keep" suggests a traditional, personal operation.

Common Mistakes

She keeps a supermarket near the station.
She runs a supermarket near the station.
'keep' is not used for large stores, only small shops.
He keeps a software company.
He runs a software company.
'keep' is not used for non-retail businesses.

3. to have farm animals or birds on your land and provide them with food and shelte

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to have farm animals or birds on your land and provide them with food and shelter, usually for the eggs, milk, meat, or wool they produce — for example, keeping chickens for their eggs

Example

The Watanabe family keeps goats for milk and cheese on their small farm.

keep + animal + for + purpose

More people in the city have started keeping chickens in their back gardens.

Common collocations
  • keep chickens
  • keep bees
  • keep goats
  • keep sheep
  • keep cattle
  • keep pigs
Synonyms
  • raise

    more common in American English; emphasises the process of helping animals grow

  • breed

    specifically focuses on producing the next generation of animals

Grammar Patterns

keep + animal type (plural)

Usage Note

Refers to animals kept for practical purposes (food, wool, eggs) rather than household pets. Use "have a pet" or "own a dog/cat" for domestic companion animals.

Common Mistakes

We keep a dog and two cats in our flat.
We have a dog and two cats in our flat.
'keep' for pet animals sounds unnatural; use 'have' or 'own'.
She keeps goldfish in a bowl on her desk.
She has a goldfish in a bowl on her desk.
small pets in the home use 'have', not 'keep'.

4. to look after someone else's children in your home during the time the parents a

4.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to look after someone else's children in your home during the time the parents are not able to be with them

Example

Mrs. Okafor kept the neighbour's twins while the parents attended a funeral.

keep + child/children — babysitting sense

During the summer holidays, Nkechi kept her cousin's two boys for a whole week.

Common collocations
  • keep children
  • keep someone's children
  • keep a child
  • keep a baby
Synonyms
  • look after

    more common and neutral; can refer to children, elderly, or property

  • babysit

    specifically means watching children for a short period, often in the evening

Grammar Patterns

keep + noun phrase (children)

Usage Note

Primarily British usage. The more common term worldwide is "look after" or "babysit". The focus is on looking after children in the carer's home (rather than going to the parents' house).

Common Mistakes

Can you keep my children tonight?' (ambiguous without context)
Can you look after my children tonight?
'look after' is clearer and more widely understood.

5. to behave in the way you said you would, making sure you carry out a commitment

5.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to behave in the way you said you would, making sure you carry out a commitment you made to someone else rather than ignoring it

Example

Aarav promised to help with the move, and he kept his word.

keep + [possessive] word — fulfil a promise

If you cannot keep your promise, you should tell people sooner rather than later.

Common collocations
  • keep a promise
  • keep your word
  • keep a commitment
  • keep an agreement
Synonyms
  • fulfil

    more formal; common in written and professional contexts

  • honour

    formal; often used in legal or ceremonial contexts

Antonyms
  • break

    the direct opposite — 'break a promise' means you do not do what you said you would

Grammar Patterns

keep + promise/word/appointment/commitment

Usage Note

The most common objects are "promise", "word", "commitment", and "agreement". It is less natural to say "keep an arrangement" — use "keep an appointment" (sense 6) or simply "stick to an arrangement".

Common Mistakes

She did not do what she said, so she did not maintain her promise.
She did not do what she said, so she did not keep her promise.
'maintain' is not used with 'promise'; the fixed collocation is 'keep a promise'.

6. to be present at a planned meeting, appointment, or event at the agreed time, ra

6.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to be present at a planned meeting, appointment, or event at the agreed time, rather than cancelling or simply not going

Example

Christopher kept his dental appointment even though he felt nervous about it.

keep + appointment — followed by even though concession

Eitan always keeps his meetings with clients, no matter how busy he gets.

Common collocations
  • keep an appointment
  • keep a meeting
  • keep a date
Synonyms
  • attend

    more formal; focuses on being present rather than honouring a prior arrangement

  • show up for

    informal; simply means arriving at a scheduled event

Antonyms
  • miss

    to not be present at a scheduled event, whether intentionally or not

  • cancel

    to officially decide that the event will not happen

Grammar Patterns

keep + appointment/meeting/date

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 is about promises you make to do something ("keep a promise"), while sense 6 is about physically attending scheduled events ("keep an appointment"). The two overlap in "keep a date".

Common Mistakes

❌ 'I could not keep my appointment yesterday because I was sick.' (correct) — This is actually correct. A more common phrasing is 'I missed my appointment'.

7. to regularly put facts, events, or numbers into a written or digital record for

7.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to regularly put facts, events, or numbers into a written or digital record for future reference.

Example

Sirin keeps a diary every night before she goes to sleep.

keep + a diary (record of personal events)

The accountant kept detailed records of every payment the company received last year.

keep + detailed records of [something]

Common collocations
  • keep a diary
  • keep a journal
  • keep records
  • keep a log
  • keep accounts
  • keep a record of
Synonyms
  • record

    more general; 'keep' emphasises the ongoing habit while 'record' can be a single action

  • maintain

    more formal, common in business or official contexts

  • document

    suggests detailed, formal written evidence

Antonyms
  • discard

    to throw away a record or information

Grammar Patterns

keep + noun (a diary, records, a journal, a log, accounts)

Usage Note

The object is typically a written or digital record such as a diary, journal, log, account, or list. Not used with spoken or unrecorded information — use 'remember' instead.

Common Mistakes

I kept a memory of what she said.
I kept a record of what she said.
'keep a memory' is unnatural; use 'keep a record' for written notes or 'remember' for things in your mind.

8. to protect information that someone has entrusted or confided in you by not tell

8.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to protect information that someone has entrusted or confided in you by not telling anyone else, honouring the personal trust that person placed in you.

Example

Mert promised to keep his sister's surprise party a secret.

keep + [something] + a secret (object + complement structure)

A good lawyer keeps all client information confidential.

keep + [noun] + confidential (adjective complement)

Common collocations
  • keep a secret
  • keep something secret
  • keep confidential
  • keep quiet about
  • keep from
Synonyms
  • conceal

    more formal; does not require that the information was confided

  • withhold

    formal; suggests deliberately not giving information

  • hide

    broader; can refer to objects or feelings, not just secrets

Antonyms
  • reveal

    to make a secret known

  • tell

    general word for sharing information

Grammar Patterns

keep + a/one's/this secret

keep + noun + secret (object + complement)

Usage Note

Often used with an object-complement structure (keep something secret, confidential, quiet). The preposition 'from' introduces the person who is not told.

Common Mistakes

I kept secret for my friend.
I kept my friend's secret.
'keep a secret' needs an article or possessive before 'secret'.

9. used to say that a timekeeping device tells the right hour and minute as the day

9.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

used to say that a timekeeping device tells the right hour and minute as the days pass, with very little error.

Example

My old wristwatch still keeps excellent time after twenty years.

keep + adjective + time (pattern for clock accuracy)

The grandfather clock in the hallway does not keep good time anymore.

Common collocations
  • keep good time
  • keep perfect time
  • keep accurate time
  • keep excellent time
Synonyms
  • run

    broader, e.g. 'my watch runs fast/slow' — doesn't specify accuracy

  • tell the time

    refers to showing the current time at a given moment, not ongoing accuracy

Antonyms
  • run slow

    to show an earlier time than the real time

  • run fast

    to show a later time than the real time

Grammar Patterns

keep + adverb (good, perfect, accurate) + time

Usage Note

Subject is always a timekeeping device — watch, clock, timer. The verb is intransitive; the phrase 'keep time' functions as a unit. Frequently used with intensifying adjectives: good, perfect, accurate, excellent.

Common Mistakes

My watch keeps time well.
My watch keeps good time.
Native speakers use 'keep good/perfect/excellent time' rather than 'keep time well.'

10. to mark or count the passing moments, usually done by a clock, timer, or other d

10.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to mark or count the passing moments, usually done by a clock, timer, or other device that moves at a steady rate.

Example

The old wooden clock in the tower has kept time for over a hundred years.

An hourglass keeps time by letting sand flow from one glass bulb to another.

keep time by [method/mechanism]

Common collocations
  • keep time by
  • keep time for
  • keep time using
Synonyms
  • count time

    more literal; less common in everyday speech

  • measure time

    broader, can refer to any method of time measurement

Grammar Patterns

keep time

Usage Note

Distinct from sense 9: this sense describes the mechanism of counting time (how a device measures seconds/minutes), while sense 9 describes whether a clock shows the correct time. The subject is the device itself, not a person.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'The referee kept time during the match.' — that is sense 12 (TRACK EVENTS), not this sense. This sense applies to a device that measures the passage of time, not a person timing an event.

11. to produce a sound or perform a movement that matches the regular pulse you hear

11.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to produce a sound or perform a movement that matches the regular pulse you hear when a song is played.

Example

The children kept the rhythm by clapping their hands together in class.

keep + the rhythm (musical context)

Jabari found it hard to keep the beat during the fast drum solo.

keep + the beat during [musical section]

Common collocations
  • keep the beat
  • keep the rhythm
  • keep time with
  • keep a steady beat
Synonyms
  • follow the beat

    similar but implies listening rather than actively producing the rhythm

  • stay on beat

    informal, common in modern music contexts

Antonyms
  • lose the beat

    to fall out of sync with the music's rhythm

  • rush

    to play or sing faster than the correct tempo

Grammar Patterns

keep + the beat / rhythm / time

Usage Note

The object is always a musical timing concept: the beat, the rhythm, or time. The subject is usually a musician, dancer, or conductor. 'Keep time' here (sense 11) means follow the musical pulse — distinct from senses 9 and 10 which involve clocks.

12. to measure and record how long an activity or event lasts, making sure it starts

12.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to measure and record how long an activity or event lasts, making sure it starts and finishes within the allowed period.

Example

The referee kept time during the basketball game with a stopwatch.

keep time during [event] with [device]

A volunteer kept time for each speaker at the debate competition.

keep time for [participant/event]

Common collocations
  • keep time for
  • keep time during
  • keep time with a stopwatch
  • keep time at a race
Synonyms
  • time

    the verb 'time' is more direct and specific — 'She timed the race'

  • clock

    informal verb — 'He clocked the runners as they finished'

Grammar Patterns

keep time

keep time for [event]

Usage Note

Subject is a person (referee, coach, volunteer, teacher) who tracks time for an event. Distinct from sense 10 (a device measuring the passage of time) and sense 9 (a clock showing correct time). This sense always has a person as the subject and an event or activity as the context.

13. to act as the last defender in sports such as football, hockey, or cricket, with

13.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to act as the last defender in sports such as football, hockey, or cricket, with the job of stopping the opposing team from scoring by blocking or catching the ball.

Example

Sivan has kept goal for the national team since she turned eighteen.

keep goal — act as goalkeeper

Owen kept wicket for his school team during the summer championship final.

keep wicket — act as wicket-keeper in cricket

Common collocations
  • keep goal
  • keep wicket
  • keep goal for [team]
Synonyms
  • guard

    broader meaning; 'guard the goal' is possible but less idiomatic in British sports English

  • defend

    refers to the whole team's defensive effort, not the specialised goalkeeper role

Grammar Patterns

keep + goal/wicket

Usage Note

Only used with a limited set of objects: 'keep goal' (football/hockey), 'keep wicket' (cricket). The object cannot be a person — you keep goal, not 'keep the goalkeeper'.

Common Mistakes

He keeps goalkeeper for the team.
He keeps goal for the team.
'keep goal' is the fixed expression; you do not name the position as a person.

14. to not change from one state or position to a different one — for example, a per

14.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to not change from one state or position to a different one — for example, a person who keeps warm by wearing extra clothes, or who keeps a room tidy by putting things back where they belong. It can also mean making another person or thing stay that way.

Example

Haruto kept his hands warm by putting them in his coat pockets.

keep + object + adjective: keep [sth] warm

Please keep the kitchen door closed so the smell does not spread.

keep + object + adjective: keep [sth] closed

Common collocations
  • keep warm
  • keep safe
  • keep quiet
  • keep fit
  • keep clean
  • keep the door closed
  • keep someone informed
Synonyms
  • stay

    used without an object; 'stay warm' but not 'stay the door closed'

  • remain

    more formal than 'keep' or 'stay'; 'remain calm' is common in written instructions

Antonyms
  • change

    to move from one state to another

  • alter

    to make different in condition

Grammar Patterns

keep + adjective

keep + object + adjective

keep + object + prepositional phrase

Usage Note

Commonly followed by an adjective (keep calm, keep safe, keep warm) or by an object + adjective/complement (keep the door shut, keep everyone informed). Can also take a prepositional phrase after the object (keep the dog in the garden).

Common Mistakes

Keep safety during the trip.
Stay safe during the trip.' or 'Keep yourself safe during the trip.
'keep' without an object needs an adjective, not a noun; 'stay' + adjective is also possible.

15. to actively prevent a fact, detail, or piece of news from becoming known to othe

15.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to actively prevent a fact, detail, or piece of news from becoming known to others — for example, by deliberately keeping quiet about a decision, suppressing a report, or not revealing where something or someone is.

Example

Selim promised to keep the surprise party a secret from his sister.

keep [sth] a secret from [sb]

Can you keep quiet about the promotion until the manager makes the announcement?

keep quiet about [sth]

Common collocations
  • keep a secret
  • keep something quiet
  • keep something hidden
  • keep something from someone
  • keep it to yourself
Synonyms
  • conceal

    more formal; 'conceal the truth' sounds deliberate and serious

  • hide

    often physical; 'hide the gift' but 'keep the plan secret' is more natural for information

  • withhold

    formal; implies holding back information that someone has a right to know

Antonyms
  • reveal

    to make something known that was hidden

  • disclose

    formal; to give out information

Grammar Patterns

keep + object + secret/quiet/hidden

keep + object + from + person

Usage Note

Often takes a secondary complement describing the manner of concealment: 'keep it secret', 'keep it quiet', 'keep it hidden'. The source of concealment is introduced by 'from': 'keep the news from your parents.'

16. to carry on an action with no break, or to repeat the same activity over and ove

16.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to carry on an action with no break, or to repeat the same activity over and over — for instance, a person who keeps checking their phone, or rain that keeps falling all day.

Example

The baby kept crying even after Ignacio picked her up and tried to comfort her.

keep + verb-ing: kept crying

Keep trying and you will eventually learn how to ride a bicycle.

keep + verb-ing as encouragement

Common collocations
  • keep asking
  • keep trying
  • keep talking
  • keep moving
  • keep working
  • keep smiling
Synonyms
  • continue

    more formal; 'continue working' sounds more deliberate than 'keep working'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb; similar register to 'keep' — 'carry on talking'

Antonyms
  • stop

    to cease doing something

  • quit

    to stop an activity, often permanently

Grammar Patterns

keep + verb-ing

Usage Note

Always followed by the -ing form of another verb. Never use the infinitive (keep + to + verb is incorrect in this sense). The action can be continuous (kept raining all day) or repeated (kept forgetting the key).

Common Mistakes

She keeps to call me every day.
She keeps calling me every day.
'keep' in this sense must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

17. to continue physically moving along a specific path, road, or compass direction

17.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to continue physically moving along a specific path, road, or compass direction without turning off or changing course — for example, keeping straight ahead along a trail, or keeping on the main road through the next town.

Example

Keep going straight until you see the old church with the tall bell tower.

keep going — continue moving

Antonia kept on walking even after the sun went down behind the hills.

keep on + verb-ing: kept on walking

Common collocations
  • keep going
  • keep on walking
  • keep on the road
  • keep on a path
  • keep straight
  • keep on track
Synonyms
  • continue

    more formal; 'continue along the path'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb with similar meaning; 'carry on up the hill'

Antonyms
  • stop

    to halt movement or progress

  • turn off

    to leave a particular route or path

Grammar Patterns

keep on + verb-ing

keep + adverb of direction

keep + prepositional phrase of route/direction

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 16 ('KEEP DOING'): sense 16 emphasises continuing an action without stopping (keep talking), while sense 17 emphasises maintaining a direction or route (keep on the road, keep going straight). 'Keep on' as a two-word form also works with -ing verbs when the focus is on perseverance rather than simple continuation.

18. to manage to continue with an activity or to live in a normal way despite seriou

18.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to manage to continue with an activity or to live in a normal way despite serious difficulties or hardship — for example, a family keeping their small shop running after a fire, or a student keeping up with their studies while ill.

Example

After losing her job, Asher's mother somehow kept going through the difficult months.

keep going — persevere through hardship

The small bakery kept running even after the cost of flour increased sharply.

Common collocations
  • keep going
  • keep it up
  • keep at it
  • keep running
  • keep studying
  • keep fighting
  • keep the business going
Synonyms
  • persevere

    more formal; 'persevere with your training'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb with the same nuance of effort; 'carry on despite the setbacks'

  • struggle on

    emphasises the difficulty; 'struggle on through the pain'

Antonyms
  • give up

    to stop trying because the situation is too difficult

  • quit

    to stop doing something, often permanently

Grammar Patterns

keep + verb-ing

keep going

keep + adverb/prepositional phrase

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 16 ('KEEP DOING'): sense 16 describes simple continuation of an action (keep talking, keep raining) without implying difficulty. Sense 18 ('PERSEVERE') implies effort or hardship — the speaker knows the situation is tough but the person continues anyway. Often appears as 'keep going' or 'keep it up' in encouraging contexts.

19. to provide a person with enough money, food, or encouragement (keep + object + g

19.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to provide a person with enough money, food, or encouragement (keep + object + going/alive/up) so that they do not fail, collapse, or give up during a difficult period

Example

The part-time job paid just enough to keep the family going during the recession.

keep + object + going (through difficulty)

A few kind words from the nurse kept Tendai's spirits up after the surgery.

keep + object + adverb particle (spirits up)

Common collocations
  • keep someone going
  • keep someone alive
  • keep someone's spirits up
  • keep someone in school/college
Synonyms
  • sustain

    more formal; often used in writing about long-term support

  • support

    broader meaning; can refer to emotional or financial help

  • carry through

    phrasal verb; emphasises helping someone complete or survive something

Grammar Patterns

keep + someone + going/alive/up

keep + someone + prepositional phrase

Usage Note

The object is always a person or a group of people. Common second elements after the object include 'going', 'alive', 'up' (spirits up), or a prepositional phrase describing a situation (e.g. 'at university', 'in school').

Common Mistakes

The money kept the business to survive the crisis.
The money kept the business going through the crisis.
'keep' in this sense takes an adjective or '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive.

20. to give a person or an organisation a small amount of food or money that is just

20.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to give a person or an organisation a small amount of food or money that is just enough for a short time, until they can get more

Example

A bowl of soup kept Nikos going until dinner was ready.

keep + object + going (temporary provision)

The small loan from his brother kept Christopher's shop running for another week.

keep + object + running (for a business)

Common collocations
  • keep someone going
  • keep a business running
  • keep someone from getting hungry
Synonyms
  • tide over

    phrasal verb; more specific and idiomatic for this exact meaning

  • sustain

    more formal and implies longer-term support

  • support

    broader meaning, not limited to temporary bridging

Grammar Patterns

keep + someone + going

keep + someone + from + being hungry

Usage Note

Often appears in the pattern 'keep + object + going' with a time phrase. The provided amount is always understood to be minimal — just enough to bridge a temporary gap. Frequently used in everyday speech about food ('this will keep me going until lunch').

Common Mistakes

This money will keep the company to operate for a few days.
This money will keep the company going for a few days.
Use '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive, after the object in this sense.

21. to actively look after a system, service, tradition, or machine (keep + object +

21.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to actively look after a system, service, tradition, or machine (keep + object + running/alive/open) by regularly cleaning, repairing, or investing effort so that it continues to function properly instead of falling into disrepair

Example

The local library needs more volunteers to keep the reading programme running.

keep + object + -ing (running)

Hao keeps the old tradition alive by teaching his children the songs his grandmother sang to him.

keep + object + adjective (alive)

Common collocations
  • keep something running
  • keep something alive
  • keep something open
  • keep something going
Synonyms
  • maintain

    more formal; the closest single-word synonym

  • preserve

    focuses on keeping something in its original state; often used for traditions and heritage

  • continue

    can be used intransitively; does not require the object + complement pattern

Antonyms
  • stop

    to cause something to cease operating

  • abandon

    to give up a practice or tradition permanently

Grammar Patterns

keep + object + alive/running/open/going

Usage Note

The object is typically an organisation, system, activity, machine, or tradition — not a person. Frequently used in the pattern 'keep + object + adjective' where the adjective describes the desired state (open, alive, running, active).

Common Mistakes

We need more money to keep to run the school.
We need more money to keep the school running.
Do not insert 'to' between 'keep' and the object; the object comes directly after 'keep'.

22. to cause someone to arrive late somewhere, or to stop them from leaving a place

22.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to cause someone to arrive late somewhere, or to stop them from leaving a place or doing something they planned to do

Example

The head teacher kept Owen after class to discuss his falling grades.

keep + object + adverbial (after class)

Sorry I am late — a long phone call from the office kept me at my desk.

Common collocations
  • keep someone after class
  • keep someone late
  • keep someone from doing something
  • what kept you?
Synonyms
  • detain

    more formal; often used in official contexts like police or airport situations

  • delay

    focuses on the time lost rather than the act of preventing departure

  • hold up

    phrasal verb; informal and very common in spoken English

Antonyms
  • release

    to allow someone to leave or go free

  • let go

    informal phrasal verb meaning to allow someone to leave

Grammar Patterns

keep + someone

keep + someone + from + -ing

keep + someone + adverbial phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used with a reason phrase explaining what caused the delay. The pattern 'keep + object + from + -ing' specifically means 'prevent someone from doing something'. In everyday conversation, 'kept me late' is a common short form ('The meeting kept me late').

Common Mistakes

The traffic jam kept me to wait for two hours.
The traffic jam kept me waiting for two hours.
After 'keep' in this sense, use an '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive.
What kept you so long?' (okay in casual speech, but wordier than necessary).
What kept you?
The short form is idiomatic and preferred.

23. if news or information can keep, it does not need to be dealt with straight away

23.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

if news or information can keep, it does not need to be dealt with straight away and can wait until a more convenient time without causing any problem

Example

Your news sounds important, but can it keep until lunchtime?

can keep + until + time (question form)

The decision about the school budget can keep until the board meets next week.

Common collocations
  • can keep
  • can't keep
  • will keep
  • could keep
  • keep until
Synonyms
  • wait

    simpler and more general; can replace 'keep' in most cases ('the news can wait')

  • hold

    less common; slightly more formal ('let the news hold until morning')

Grammar Patterns

news/information + can/can't keep

something + can keep + until/till + time

Usage Note

Only used with modal-like expressions: 'can/can't keep', 'will/won't keep', or 'could/couldn't keep'. Never used in progressive forms ('it is keeping') or with a direct object. The subject is always abstract information — news, a question, a decision, a message.

Common Mistakes

The news keeps until tomorrow.
The news can keep until tomorrow.
A modal verb (can/will) is needed; this sense does not work in simple present without a modal.
I will keep the news until tomorrow.
In this sense 'keep' is intransitive
the news itself keeps. If you want to say you personally delay telling someone, use a different sense or rephrase: 'I will keep the news until tomorrow' (sense 8, HIDE).

24. if food keeps, it does not go bad or spoil for a period of time, staying in good

24.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

if food keeps, it does not go bad or spoil for a period of time, staying in good enough condition to eat or use

Example

Fresh milk will not keep for more than four or five days in warm weather.

keep + for + time period

The leftover rice kept well in the fridge and was still good the next morning.

keep + adverb (well)

Common collocations
  • keep well
  • keep for + time
  • keep in the fridge
  • does not keep long
Synonyms
  • last

    more general; can be used for both food and non-food items

  • stay fresh

    more explicit about quality; commonly used in cooking contexts

  • remain edible

    very formal; rare in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • spoil

    the most common opposite for food going bad

  • go bad

    informal phrasal verb; very common in spoken English

  • rot

    stronger; suggests the food has decayed thoroughly

Grammar Patterns

food + keeps + for + time

food + keeps + adverb (well/badly/long)

Usage Note

Intransitive only — the food is the subject, and there is no object. Commonly appears with time expressions ('keep for three days', 'keep well into next week') and adverbs of quality ('keeps well/badly/beautifully'). Often used in conditional or imperative instructions about food storage.

Common Mistakes

I kept the vegetables in the fridge for a week.' (This uses a different sense — keep = store)
The vegetables kept in the fridge for a week.
In THIS sense, the food is the subject and there is no object. If you are the subject storing food, you are using sense 21 (MAINTAIN) or the literal storing sense.
Fish cannot keep for long.' (technically correct but rare in questions)
Fish does not keep for long.
The negative using 'does not' is more natural than 'cannot' for food storage duration.

25. to give someone the money, food, and shelter they need to live

25.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to give someone the money, food, and shelter they need to live

Example

After the factory closed, Baraka could not keep his family on his savings alone.

keep + family (typical object collocation)

The weekly food parcel was enough to keep Mr. Quan for only a few days.

keep + person (direct object pattern)

Common collocations
  • keep a family
  • keep oneself
  • keep children
  • keep a household
  • keep parents
  • keep someone on something
Synonyms
  • support

    broader meaning — can include emotional support, not just financial; more common than 'keep' in this sense

  • provide for

    more formal and implies a sense of responsibility; often used in legal or formal contexts

  • sustain

    more formal or literary; suggests maintaining someone over a long period

Antonyms
  • neglect

    to fail to give someone the care or support they need

  • abandon

    to leave someone without any support at all

Grammar Patterns

keep + object (person)

Usage Note

Object is always a person (or oneself). Often implies providing the bare necessities rather than a comfortable standard of living.

Common Mistakes

He works hard to keep his car running.
He works hard to keep his family.
In this sense, 'keep' is used for people's basic living needs, not for objects.
She keeps her grandmother company every weekend.
She keeps her grandmother by paying for her food and rent.
'Keep someone company' is a different sense of 'keep' (meaning to accompany). This sense specifically means to provide financial support.
Phrasal verbs

keep at

phrasal verb

to continue working on something with effort and determination, even when it is difficult

Learning a new language is hard, but you just have to keep at it every day.

Aarav kept at the maths problem until he finally found the right answer.

keep away

phrasal verb

to avoid going near someone or something, or to prevent someone from going near

The doctor told him to keep away from school until the fever was gone.

The farmer put up a fence to keep the deer away from his vegetable field.

keep down

phrasal verb

to prevent something from increasing in size, number, or level

The government is trying to keep down the price of basic foods like rice and cooking oil.

Yumi exercises every morning to keep her blood pressure down.

keep from

phrasal verb

to prevent yourself from doing something, or to stop someone from doing something

I could hardly keep from laughing when the cat jumped into the birthday cake.

The heavy rain kept us from going for a walk along the beach.

keep off

phrasal verb

to avoid touching, stepping on, or going near something

Please keep off the grass — the gardeners have just planted new seeds.

Charlotte wore a large hat to keep the sun off her face during the boat trip.

keep on

phrasal verb

to continue doing something without stopping

The teacher told the class to keep on reading until the end of the chapter.

Even though it started to rain, the football players kept on practising.

keep to

phrasal verb

to stay within a particular limit or plan, or to follow a rule or agreement

Please keep to the path so you do not damage the plants in the nature reserve.

The speaker did not keep to the topic and talked about many unrelated things.

keep up

phrasal verb

to move or progress at the same speed as someone or something

Eitan walked so fast that his little sister could not keep up with him.

It is hard to keep up with all the new software updates at work.

keep after

phrasal verb

To repeatedly remind or urge someone to do something.

Mom kept after me to clean my room.

The teacher kept after the students to finish their homework.

keep back

phrasal verb

To not tell someone something, or to hold something in reserve.

She kept back the truth about the accident.

Keep back some money for emergencies.

keep in

phrasal verb

To make a student stay at school after hours as a punishment.

The teacher kept the noisy boy in after class.

Why was Sara kept in yesterday?

keep in with

phrasal verb

To try to stay friendly with someone, especially for personal advantage.

He always keeps in with the boss to get promotions.

It's wise to keep in with your neighbors.

keep out

phrasal verb

To prevent someone or something from entering a place.

Please keep the dog out of the kitchen.

A fence keeps out unwanted visitors.

keep out of

phrasal verb

To avoid becoming involved in something.

Keep out of their argument; it's not your business.

I try to keep out of trouble at school.

keep to yourself

phrasal verb

To stay alone or not share your thoughts with others.

Mia prefers to keep to herself at parties.

He kept the secret to himself.

keep under

phrasal verb

To control or suppress something, such as an emotion or a group.

The dictator kept the people under with force.

She kept her anger under during the meeting.

keep up with

phrasal verb

To move or progress at the same speed as someone or something.

Diego runs fast, but I can keep up with him.

It's hard to keep up with all the latest news.

keep yourself from

phrasal verb

To stop yourself from doing something.

She kept herself from laughing during the speech.

Can you keep yourself from eating candy for a week?

Idioms

keep an eye on

idiom

to watch someone or something carefully, especially to make sure they are safe or to prevent problems

Could you keep an eye on the baby while I go and answer the door?

The security guard keeps an eye on the car park cameras throughout the night.

keep in mind

idiom

to remember a piece of information or a fact when you are making a decision or doing something

Keep in mind that the last train leaves at half past eleven.

When choosing a university course, keep in mind what kind of job you want later.

keep your cool

idiom

to stay calm and not become angry or upset in a difficult situation

The referee kept his cool even when the players started shouting at him.

Roya kept her cool during the power cut and helped everyone find the torches.

keep someone company

idiom

to stay with someone so that they do not feel lonely or bored

I stayed at the hospital to keep my grandmother company while she waited for the test results.

Charlotte brought her dog along to keep her little brother company in the garden.

keep track of

idiom

to continue to know what is happening with someone or something, or where something or someone is

My father uses a spreadsheet to keep track of his monthly expenses.

It is hard to keep track of all the students when they are running around the playground.

keep going

idiom

To continue living or working normally despite difficulties or pain.

After losing his job, Tom kept going and found a new one.

Are you tired? Keep going, the finish line is near.

keep somebody going

idiom

To provide enough of something for someone until they get what they need.

This small snack will keep you going until lunch.

Her encouraging words kept me going during the exam.

keep — noun

Word family

  • keeps
    verbA2
  • kept
    verbA2
  • keeping
    verbB1
  • keeper
    nounB1
  • keep (living expenses)
    nounB1
  • keep (castle tower)
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five synonyms can describe keeping something in your possession or in a particular state, but they differ in tone and scope. "Retain" is more formal than "keep" and often implies holding on to something abstract or valuable — you retain a right, a record, or a memory. "Maintain" focuses on active effort to keep something in good working condition (maintain a friendship, a building, or a standard); it always suggests ongoing care rather than simple non-loss. "Preserve" is narrower — it means keeping something exactly as it is, often to protect it from decay or change (preserve a historic building, preserve food). "Store" is about putting something away for future use (store furniture in a warehouse); it does not imply permanence. "Hold" can overlap with "keep" in physical contexts (hold a ticket, hold a bag) but is less natural for abstract retention. In everyday speech, "keep" is the default word for most situations; choose "retain" for formal writing, "maintain" when effort is involved, "preserve" for protection against damage, and "store" for putting things aside temporarily.

retain ↗maintain ↗preserve ↗store ↗hold ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • keep a record
  • keep time
  • keep the change
  • keep a promise
  • keep a secret
  • keep a diary
  • keep an eye
  • keep a copy

Adverbs

  • always keep
  • still keep
  • usually keep
  • keep carefully
  • keep safely
  • keep well
  • keep securely

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The verb "keep" comes from Middle English "kepen," which developed from Old English "cēpan" (to seize, hold, or guard). The original meaning was closer to "watch over" or "take care of" — related to Old Frisian "kāpa" (to look at, watch). Over centuries the word broadened from guarding and protecting into the modern range of senses covering retention, continuation, maintenance, and preservation. The noun senses developed from the verb: "living expenses" (from the idea of what is needed to maintain oneself, 1500s) and "castle tower" (from the idea of the strongest, best-guarded part of a fortress, adapted from the verb's defensive meaning around the 1500s).