1
general::
keep
to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily:
• Where do you keep the scissors? • The keys are kept in my office.
store
to put things away and keep them until you need them:
• Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
save
to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future:
• He had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion. • We can save the rest of the pie for later.
file
to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place:
• All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
collect
to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting:
• Kate collects old postcards.
hold
to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to use:
• Medical records are now usually held on computers.
reserve
formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cooking:
• Reserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.
hoard
to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other people:
• People have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack. • Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
keep on doing sth
to continue to do something, or to do something again and again
• She kept on asking me questions the whole time., keep up
to be able to understand or deal with something that is happening or changing very fast
• I read the papers to keep up with what's happening in the outside world., keep sth off (sb/sth)
to stop something touching or harming someone or something
• Put a cloth over the salad to keep the flies off.
• Wear a hat to keep the sun off (= to prevent it harming your skin)., keep to somewhere
to stay in one particular area
• Please keep to the footpaths., keep sth to sth
If you keep something to a particular number or amount, you make certain it does not become larger than that. , keep (sb) off sth
to not eat, drink or use something that can harm you, or to stop someone else from doing this
• The doctor told me to keep off fatty foods., keep sth down
FOOD
1. to be able to eat or drink something without vomiting
• On the day after her operation she couldn't keep anything down., keep sth back
[ M ] NOT TELL
2. to not tell someone everything you know about a situation or an event that has happened
• I suspect she's keeping something back., keep (sth) up
[ M ]
to continue without stopping or changing, or to continue something without allowing it to stop or change
• Keep up the good work!, keep (sb/sth) away
[ M ]
to not go somewhere or near something, or to prevent someone from going somewhere or near something
• Keep away from the edge of the cliff., keep on
UK informal
to continue to talk in an annoying way about something
• Don't keep on, I'll sort it out in a minute.
• He kept on at me about the money, even though I told him I hadn't got it., keep sth back
[ M ] NOT USE ALL
1. to not use the whole amount of something so that there is a small amount remaining for later , keep yourself to yourself
to not talk to other people very much
• He's a very private person - he keeps himself to himself., keep sth from sb
to not tell someone about something
• He says it's alright but I think he's keeping something from me., keep in with sb
to continue to try to be friendly with someone, especially because they can help you
• I like to keep in with my ex-employer, you never know when you might need a reference., keep sth up
[ M ]
to not allow something that is at a high level to fall to a lower level
• You must eat to keep your strength up., keep (sth/sb) back
[ M ]
to not go near something, or to prevent someone or something from going past a particular place
• Barriers were built to keep back the flood water., keep sth down
SIZE
2. to control the size or number of something and prevent it from increasing
• We need to work hard to keep our prices down., keep sb down
to prevent a person or group of people from having any power or freedom
• It's all part of a conspiracy to keep women down., keep sb in
to make a child stay inside as a punishment, or to make someone stay in hospital
• They kept her in overnight for observation., keep (sb/sth) out
to not go in a place, or to stop someone or something from going into a place
• Building work in progress. Keep out!, keep (sb/sth) off sth
to not go onto an area, or to stop someone or something going onto an area
• There was a notice saying 'Keep off the grass'., keep to sth
PLAN
1. to do what you have promised or planned to do
• I think we should keep to our original plan., keep sb/sth from sth
to prevent someone or something from doing something
• [ + -ing verb ]: Try to keep the children from throwing food all over the floor.
• Am I keeping you from your work?, keep sth to yourself
[ R ]
to keep something secret
• I don't want everyone to know, so if you could keep it to yourself I'd appreciate it., keep from doing sth
to manage to prevent yourself from doing something
• I couldn't keep from smiling when she told me what she'd done., keep up (with sb/sth )
If someone or something keeps up with someone or something else, they do whatever is necessary to stay level or equal with that person or thing
• He started to walk faster and the children had to run to keep up.
• Wages are failing to keep up with inflation., keep to sth
SUBJECT
2. If you keep to a particular subject, you only talk about that subject
• For heaven's sake let's keep to the point or we'll never reach any decisions., keep (sb/sth) out of sth
to avoid becoming involved in something, or to stop someone or something becoming involved in something
• I prefer to keep out of arguments about money.
• Keep me out of this!
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
noun VERB + KEEP earn It's time you did a job to earn your keep., verb ADV. well Milk and cream should keep quite well in a fridge.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary