1
general::
Phrase(s): (Have you) been keeping out of trouble? [and] (Have you been) keeping out of trouble?; You been keeping out of trouble?
Inf. a vague greeting asking one what one has been doing. • Bob: Hi, Mary. Have you been keeping out of trouble? Mary: Yeah. And you? Bob: Oh, I’m getting by. • Tom: Hey, man! Been keeping out of trouble? Bob: Hell, no! What are you up to? Tom: Nothing., Phrase(s): (I’ve) been keeping out of trouble. [and] (I’ve been) keeping out of trouble.
Fig. a standard response to a greeting inquiry that asks what one has been doing. • John: What have you been doing, Fred? Fred: Been keeping out of trouble. John: Yeah. Me too. • Mary: How are things, Tom? Tom: Oh, I’ve been keeping out of trouble.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs