keep · v
keep sb waiting
B2 to be late so that someone has to wait for you
Dictionary examples:
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. (10.5)
The dentist kept me waiting for hours. (16.1)
keep a/your promise
B2 to do what you promised to do
Dictionary examples:
James kept his promise and repaid all of the money he had borrowed. (61.1)
keep notes/records, etc.
B2 to write something down in order to remember it
Dictionary examples:
Remember to keep a record of how much you spend. (18.2)
keep (FOOD)
B2 If food or drink keeps, it remains fresh.
Dictionary examples:
Once opened, this product will keep for three days if refrigerated. (61.9)
keep (ANIMALS)
B2 to have and look after animals
Dictionary examples:
Our neighbors keep chickens. (20.2)
keep your/an eye on sb/sth
B2 to watch or look after someone or something
Dictionary examples:
Could you keep an eye on this the soup for a minute? (15.0)
keep sb company
B2 to stay with someone so that they are not alone
Dictionary examples:
Come and keep me company, Isabel. (16.6)
keep sb/sth in mind
B2 to remember to consider someone or something that may be useful in the future
Dictionary examples:
I'll keep you in mind if another job comes up. (19.0)
keep track
C1 to continue to know about someone or something
Dictionary examples:
Be sure to keep track of the time so you won't be late. (20.4)
He changes jobs so often I can’t keep track anymore. (24.2)
keep your word
C1 to do what you said you would do
Dictionary examples:
He agreed to come and I'm sure he'll keep his word. (19.0)
keep sb going
C1 to provide what someone needs for a short period of time
Dictionary examples:
Dinner is at eight, but I had an apple to keep me going. (15.4)
keep pace with sb/sth
C1 to move or develop at the same speed as someone or something else
Dictionary examples:
We have to keep pace with the changing times. (29.7)
keep a low profile
C1 to try not to be noticed
Dictionary examples:
She has kept a low profile since the divorce. (36.6)
keep your cool
C1 to remain calm
Dictionary examples:
You did well to keep your cool in all that panic. (31.4)
keep a cool head
C2 to remain calm in a difficult situation
Dictionary examples:
To be successful in business, you need to keep a cool head in negotiations. (43.9)
keep your eyes open (for sb/sth)
C2 to watch carefully for someone or something
Dictionary examples:
Keep your eyes open for anything unusual. (13.9)
keep your eyes peeled (for sb/sth)
C2 to watch carefully for someone or something
Dictionary examples:
Keep your eyes peeled, he should be here any minute. (40.4)
keep a straight face
C2 to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing
Dictionary examples:
I can never play jokes on people because I can't keep a straight face. (38.3)
keep your fingers crossed/cross your fingers
C2 to hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to, and to put a finger over the one next to it as a sign of that hope
Dictionary examples:
Let's keep our fingers crossed that she gets the job. (40.0)
We're crossing our fingers and hoping that the weather stays fine. (40.8)
keep your head above water
C2 to have just enough money to live or to continue a business
Dictionary examples:
With extra income from private sponsorship, the club is just about managing to keep its head above water. (60.8)
keep (sth) quiet
C2 to not talk about something
Dictionary examples:
It might be wise to keep this quiet for a while. (33.2)
keep your temper
C2 to succeed in staying calm and not becoming angry
Dictionary examples:
It was hard to keep my temper with so many things going wrong. (31.0)
keep sb on their toes
C2 to make sure that someone gives all their attention to what they are doing and is ready for anything that might happen
Dictionary examples:
We have random inspections to keep everyone on their toes. (59.3)
keep sth in/on, etc.
A2 to regularly store something in a particular place
Dictionary examples:
He keeps his homework under his pillow for 'smart dreams'. (0.0)
She keeps her lucky pencil in a banana peel. (0.0)
I keep my secret diary inside a fake cactus. (0.0)
We'll keep your application on file. (21.1)
Keep medicines in a locked cabinet. (30.9)
keep (HAVE)
A2 to have something permanently or for the whole of a period of time
Dictionary examples:
She keeps a tiny cactus named Bob on her desk. (0.0)
I keep my lucky socks on for a whole week! (0.0)
I keep my pet rock in my pocket all day long. (0.0)
Do you want this photograph back or can I keep it? (14.8)
keep in touch
B1 to communicate or continue to communicate with someone, for example by e-mail or telephone
Dictionary examples:
I keep in touch with my gym membership by driving past it occasionally. (0.0)
My wallet keeps in touch with me by getting thinner every day. (0.0)
I keep in touch with my diet by waving at vegetables in the store. (0.0)
We've kept in touch by e-mail for the last five years. (25.1)
keep (STAY)
A2 to (cause to) stay in a particular place or condition
Dictionary examples:
My cat keeps sitting on my keyboard to stop me working. (0.0)
My sister keeps her room messy to scare away visitors. (0.0)
My pet rock keeps still all day. It's the perfect pet! (0.0)
I like to keep busy. (7.5)
I wish you'd keep quiet. (16.6)
Keep left/right at the traffic light. (27.0)
He goes jogging twice a week to keep in shape. (32.0)
The noise from their party kept me awake half the night. (32.4)
John keeps the car spotlessly clean. (57.9)
It was difficult for us to keep warm because the house had no heating. (61.4)
keep a/sth secret
B1 to not tell anyone a secret/about something secret
Dictionary examples:
I tried to keep the surprise cake secret, but my face was covered in frosting. (0.0)
Tom tried to keep his surprise party secret, but his loud friends ruined it. (0.0)
He kept his diet secret by eating donuts in the bathroom. (0.0)
Mr. Brown apparently delayed the announcement, and managed to keep it secret from the entire group. (43.1)
keep doing sth
B1 to continue doing something without stopping, or to do it repeatedly
Dictionary examples:
I keep forgetting my phone's password. It's like a daily brain teaser! (0.0)
My dad keeps telling the same joke at parties. It's tradition now! (0.0)
The baby keeps throwing food. He thinks he's a tiny chef! (0.0)
He keeps trying to distract me. (28.8)
I kept hoping that he'd phone me. (59.4)
keep (DELAY)
B1 to delay someone or prevent them from doing something
Dictionary examples:
Social media keeps me from being productive for hours every day. (0.0)
My bed keeps me from starting my homework every morning. (0.0)
My dog keeps me from leaving by hiding my shoes. (0.0)
He's very late, what's keeping him? (11.3)
Don't let me keep you from your work. (12.2)
She kept me talking on the phone for half an hour. (18.2)