Phrasal verbs with “keep” often describe actions related to maintaining, retaining, or managing something. Here’s a comprehensive list of phrasal verbs with “keep,” along with their meanings and examples.
Here is the list of 20 phrasal verbs with “Keep”:
- Keep at
- Keep back
- Keep away
- Keep down
- Keep from
- Keep in
- Keep off
- Keep on
- Keep out
- Keep to
- Keep up
- Keep up with
- Keep under
- Keep together
- Keep across
- Keep along
- Keep ahead
- Keep apart
- Keep by
- Keep around
Phrasal Verbs with “Keep” and Their Meanings
Keep At
Meaning: To persist with something, especially a task or goal.
Example: If you keep at your studies, you’ll pass the exam.
Keep Back
Meaning: To retain something or hold it in reserve.
Example: She kept back some of the cake for herself.
Keep Away
Meaning: To maintain a safe distance from someone or something.
Example: Please keep away from the edge of the cliff.
Keep Down
Meaning: To prevent growth or increase; to suppress.
Example: He tried to keep down the noise during the meeting.
Keep From
Meaning: To prevent oneself or someone else from doing something.
Example: She could barely keep from laughing at the joke.
Keep In
Meaning: To cause someone to stay indoors or inside a particular place.
Example: The teacher kept him in during recess as a punishment.
Keep Off
Meaning: To prevent someone from stepping onto something.
Example: Please keep off the grass.
Keep On
Meaning: To continue doing something despite difficulties.
Example: If you keep on practicing, you’ll get better at playing the piano.
Keep Out
Meaning: To prevent someone or something from entering a place.
Example: They put up a fence to keep out intruders.
Keep To
Meaning: To follow or adhere strictly to something.
Example: Please keep to the designated path while hiking.
Keep Up
Meaning: To maintain the same level or rate as others.
Example: She walked so fast that I struggled to keep up.
Keep Up With
Meaning: To stay at the same pace or maintain the same level of understanding as someone else.
Example: I can hardly keep up with all the new technology.
Keep Under
Meaning: To control or suppress something or someone.
Example: The dictator kept the people under strict control.
Keep Together
Meaning: To remain in close proximity to others.
Example: Let’s keep together so no one gets lost.
Keep Across
Meaning: To maintain awareness or knowledge of something.
Example: I try to keep across the latest news by reading multiple sources.
Keep Along
Meaning: To continue moving in the same direction or path.
Example: They kept along the riverbank until they found a bridge.
Keep Ahead
Meaning: To remain in a position of advantage or lead.
Example: We need to keep ahead of the competition by innovating.
Keep Apart
Meaning: To prevent people or things from coming together.
Example: The security team tried to keep apart the rival groups of fans.
Keep By
Meaning: To retain something for future use.
Example: She kept a little money by for emergencies.
Keep Around
Meaning: To retain someone or something nearby.
Example: It’s useful to keep a flashlight around in case of a power outage.