Reading set "Idioms with 'keep' to learn (part 2)" (Number of items 20)
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keep one at a distance
keep one at a distance or keep one at arm's length {v. phr.}
To avoid (someone's) company; not become too friendly toward.
Mr. Smith is kind to the workers in his store but after work he keeps them at a distance.
Betty likes Bill and is trying to be friendly, but he keeps her at arm's length.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's balance
keep one's balance {v. phr.}
To stay even-tempered; not become overexcited.
Mike has the best personality to run our office; he always keeps his balance.
Contrast: LOSE ONE'S BALANCE.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's chin up
keep one's chin up {v. phr.}
To be brave; be determined; face trouble with courage.
He didn't think that he would ever get out of the jungle alive, but he kept his chin up.
Compare: KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's distance
keep one's distance {v. phr.}
To be cool toward someone; avoid being friendly.
Mary did not like her co-worker, Betty, and kept her distance from her.
Compare: KEEP ONE AT A DISTANCE.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's eye on the ball
keep one's eye on the ball {v. phr.}
1. To watch the ball at all times in a sport, usually in order to hit it or get it; not stop watching the ball.
Keep your eye on the baseball or you won't be able to hit it.
2. {informal}
To be watchful and ready; be wide-awake and ready to win or succeed; be smart.
Tom is just starting on the job but if he keeps his eye on the ball, he will be promoted.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's eyes peeled
keep one's eyes peeled or keep one's eyes skinned {v. phr.}, {informal}
To watch carefully; be always looking.
The bird-watcher kept his eyes peeled for bluebirds.
When the boys walked through the roads, they kept their eyes skinned for snakes.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's feet
keep one's feet {v. phr.}
To keep from falling or slipping down; keep your balance; remain standing.
The boy stumbled on the stairs but was able to keep his feet.
Compare: REGAIN ONE'S FEET.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's hand in
keep one's hand in {v. phr.}
To keep in practice; continue to take part.
After he retired from teaching, Mr. Brown kept his hand in by giving a lecture once in a while.
Mr. Smith left the planning of the trip to his wife, but he kept his hand in, too.
Compare: KEEP UP.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's head
keep one's head also keep one's wits about one {v. phr.}
To stay calm when there is trouble or danger.
When Tim heard the fire alarm he kept his head and looked for the nearest exit.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's head above water
keep one's head above water {v. phr.}
To remain solvent; manage to stay out of debt.
Herb's income declined so drastically that he now has difficulty keeping his head above water.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's mouth shut
keep one's mouth shut {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be or stay silent. — A rude expression when used as a command.
When the crooks were captured by the police, their leader warned them to keep their mouths shut.
Charles began to tell Barry how to kick the ball, and Barry said angrily, "Keep your mouth shut!"
Syn.: SHUT UP (1).
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's nose clean
keep one's nose clean {v. phr.}, {slang}
To stay out of trouble; do only what you should do.
The boss said Jim could have the job as long as he kept his nose clean and worked hard.
The policeman warned the boys to keep their noses clean unless they wanted to go to jail.
Compare: STEER CLEAR OF (2).
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's nose to the grindstone
keep one's nose to the grindstone or have one's nose to the grindstone or hold one's nose to the grindstone {v. phr.}, {informal}
To work hard all the time; keep busy with boring or tiresome work.
Sarah keeps her nose to the grindstone and saves as much as possible to start her own business.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's own counsel
keep one's own counsel {v. phr.}, {formal}
To keep your ideas and plans to yourself.
John listened to what everyone had to say in the discussion, but he kept his own counsel.
Although everybody gave Mrs. O'Connor advice about what to do with her house, she kept her own counsel.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's shirt on
keep one's shirt on {v. phr.}, {slang}
To calm down; keep from losing your temper or getting impatient or excited.
Bob got very angry when John accidentally bumped into him, but John told him to keep his shirt on.
- Usually used as a command; may be considered impolite.
John said to Bob, "Keep your shirt on."
Contrast: GET ONE'S DANDER UP.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's word
keep one's word {v. phr.}
To do what one has promised; fulfill one's promise.
Paul kept his word and paid me the $250 that he owed me right on time.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep open house
keep open house {v. phr.}
To offer hospitality and entertain those who come at any given time on a certain day or afternoon.
Beth and Charlie have a cottage by the lake where they keep open house on Saturday afternoons during the summer.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep out (of)
keep out (of) {v. phr.}
1. To stay out; remain out of.
The sign on the fence said, "Danger! Keep out!"
2. To stave off; not allow in.
The border patrol near El Paso, Texas, is trying to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep pace
keep pace {v. phr.}
To go as fast; go at the same rate; not get behind.
When they go for a walk, Johnny has to take long steps to keep pace with his father.
When Billy was moved to a more advanced class, he had to work hard to keep pace.
Compare: KEEP UP (2a).
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep plugging along
keep plugging along {v. phr.}, {informal}
To continue to work diligently and with great effort, often against hardship.
Bob was not particularly talented but he kept plugging along year after year, and eventually became vice president.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms