Flashcards based on "Idioms with 'keep' to learn (part 1)" set
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1 of 18
To receive current information; inform oneself.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 18
To be polite in speaking.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 18
. keep a civil tongue in one's head
[keep a civil tongue in one's head] {v. phr.}
To be polite in speaking.
He was very angry with his boss, but he kept a civil tongue in his head.
The bus driver began yelling at the woman and she told him to keep a civil tongue in his head.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 18
To be brave; face trouble bravely.
Compare: [KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 18
. keep a stiff upper lip
[keep a stiff upper lip] {v. phr.}
To be brave; face trouble bravely.
He was very much worried about his sick daughter, but he kept a stiff upper lip.
Although he was having some trouble with the engine, the pilot kept a stiff upper lip and landed the plane safely.
Compare: [KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 18
To be informed of the latest developments.
Compare: [KEEP STEP WITH].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 18
. keep abreast (of) someone
[keep abreast (of) someone] or [keep abreast (of) something] {v. phr.}
To be informed of the latest developments.
It is difficult to keep abreast of all the various wars that are being waged on planet Earth.
Compare: [KEEP STEP WITH].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 18
To speak to (someone) about something again and again; remind over and over again.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 18
. keep after
[keep after] {v.}, {informal}
To speak to (someone) about something again and again; remind over and over again.
Some pupils will do sloppy work unless the teacher keeps after them to write neatly.
Sue's mother had to keep after her to clean her bedroom.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 18
1. To watch carefully; not stop paying attention to.
Compare: [LOOK OUT], [LOOK OVER].
2. To watch and do what is needed for; mind.
Syn.: [TAKE CARE OF] (1).
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 18
. keep an eye on
[keep an eye on] or [keep one's eye on] or [have one's eye on] {v. phr.}
1. To watch carefully; not stop paying attention to.
Keep an eye on the stove in case the coffee boils.
You must keep your eye on the ball when you play tennis.
A good driver keeps his eye on the road.
The teacher had her eye on me because she thought I was cheating.
Billy keeps a jealous eye on his toys.
The lion tamer keeps a sharp eye on the lions when he is in the cage.
Compare: [LOOK OUT], [LOOK OVER].
2. To watch and do what is needed for; mind.
Mother told Jane to keep an eye on the baby while she was in the store.
Mr. Brown told John to keep an eye on the store while he was out.
Syn.: [TAKE CARE OF] (1).
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 18
To refrain or be restrained from entering; remain back.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 18
To keep alive; survive.
Compare: [KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 18
To keep records of money gained and spent; do the work of a bookkeeper.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
11 of 18
1. To stay or go along with (someone) so that he will not be lonely to visit with (someone).
2. To go places together as a couple; date just one person.
Compare: [GO STEADY].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
11 of 18
. keep company
[keep company] {v. phr.}
1. To stay or go along with (someone) so that he will not be lonely to visit with (someone).
John kept Andy company while his parents went to the movies.
I'll go shopping with you just to keep you company.
2. To go places together as a couple; date just one person.
After keeping company for one year, Mary and John decided to marry.
Who is Bill keeping company with now?
Compare: [GO STEADY].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
13 of 18
Keep from progressing or growing; keep within limits; control.
Compare: [GET AHEAD].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
13 of 18
. keep down
[keep down] {v.}
Keep from progressing or growing; keep within limits; control.
The children could not keep their voices down.
We hoe the garden to keep down the weeds.
You can't keep a good man down.
Compare: [GET AHEAD].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
14 of 18
To hold yourself back from; stop or prevent yourself from (doing something).
- Usually used with "can" in the negative.
Compare: [CAN HELP].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
14 of 18
. keep from
[keep from] {v.}, {informal}
To hold yourself back from; stop or prevent yourself from (doing something).
Can you keep from repeating gossip?
Jill can't keep from talking about her trip.
- Usually used with "can" in the negative.
You can't keep from liking Jim.
Compare: [CAN HELP].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
15 of 18
To remain in communication with; maintain contact with.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
16 of 18
To go to bed late; habitually stay up (and work) late.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
17 of 18
To refrain from entering; stay away from.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
18 of 18
1. To go ahead; not stop; continue.
- Often used before a present participle.
Syn.: [GO ON]. Compare: [KEEP AT], [KEEP UP].
2. To allow to continue working for you.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
18 of 18
. keep on
[keep on] {v.}
1. To go ahead; not stop; continue.
The neighbors asked them to stop making noise, but they kept right on.
Columbus kept on until he saw land.
- Often used before a present participle.
Relentlessly, the boy kept on asking about the birds and the bees.
The boy kept on talking even though the teacher had asked him to stop.
Syn.: [GO ON]. Compare: [KEEP AT], [KEEP UP].
2. To allow to continue working for you.
The new owner kept Fred on as gardener.
A Dictionary of American Idioms