🔁 To continue 🛡️ To protect 📦 To store 🤝 To fulfill 🐶 To care for 🥫 To stay fresh 💰 Support or cost 🏰 Main tower 🚪 A jail cell

to keep

∞ 1.0

To look after someone and provide food or shelter

verb
/kip/

: cuidar

Soldiers brought captives back to the garrisons, keeping them under guard until adequate numbers were in hand.
keep people safe
keep people alive
keep people healthy

How will I keep a roof over our head?

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Examples

And for me, the greatest priority is to keep you guys safe and healthy.
Yeah, I'm trying to keep your family alive right now.

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How will I keep a roof over our head?

Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy
Ashley, keep an eye on your sister.

Ordinary Angels (2024)
People will live longer only if we succeed in keeping them healthy longer.

Academic text (2012)
Daddy had to go into his savings to keep us from ending up on the street.

Fiction book (1990)
As Tia is under six months old, emphasize the importance of keeping her out of the sun.

Academic text (2012)
How you gonna keep your grandkids warm in wintertime?

The China Syndrome (1979)
Arthritis Research UK acknowledges the importance of keeping people with RA in work.

Academic text (2015)
I will keep the dog in a warm and safe place during the storm.

Synonyms

to take care of

vsto keep

∞ 1.3

To look after someone or deal with a problem

centres on supplying sustained support like food and shelter rather than tasks

to care

vsto keep

∞ 1.0

To look after someone or something so they stay safe and well

includes looking after animals and supplying food and shelter

to care for

vsto keep

347 1.0

Look after a sick or injured person and give them needed help

is broader covering daily needs like food and shelter not only medical help

to sustain

vsto keep

222 3.9

To give a person or thing what it needs to live

focuses on providing hands-on support and daily needs like food

to maintain

vsto keep

123 3.4

Provide money or help so someone can live

applies to looking after people and animals, including food and shelter

Antonyms

to abandon

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

to neglect

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

Idioms

to keep one's mouth shut

Informal

116 5.6

To say nothing to avoid trouble or keep a secret

to keep one's eyes open

97 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

to keep one's head down

41 6.3

Avoid getting noticed to stay out of trouble

to keep the peace

38 3.7

Prevent people from arguing or fighting so things stay calm

to keep a low profile

36 3.9

Act quietly so people do not notice you

to keep one's cool

Informal

30 3.4

Stay calm and control your feelings when things are hard

to keep it simple

28 2.7

Make something easy to understand by not adding extra details

to keep one's fingers crossed

Informal

20 3.5

To hope something will turn out well

to keep one's eyes peeled

Informal

16 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

to keep one's options open

15 4.2

To avoid choosing now so other choices remain

to keep one's eye on the ball

Informal

15 5.6

Pay attention to the main goal and avoid distractions

to keep one's distance (from)

12 4.2

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

to keep one's nose clean

Informal

11 6.8

To avoid trouble and not attract bad attention

to keep head above water

Informal

8 4.7

To avoid serious money problems during hard times

to keep up appearances

Informal

8 6.7

Act as if everything is fine in front of other people

to keep a close watch

8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

to keep one's chin up

Informal

8 6.5

To stay cheerful and hopeful when things go wrong

to keep one's pants on

Informal

7 8.5

To stay calm and patient instead of getting angry

to keep up with the Joneses

Informal

4 7.5

Try to have the same things and life as neighbors to appear successful

to keep it in the family

Informal

4 7.1

To not tell people outside the family about important things

to keep one's ears open

Informal

4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

to keep someone's head in the game

Informal

4 7.4

To stay focused and calm in a difficult situation

to keep up with the times

3 3.9

Stay modern by learning about new trends

to keep a cool head

3 3.9

Stay calm and not get angry or excited in a difficult situation

to keep someone on edge

Informal

2 7.4

Make someone feel nervous and unsure about what will happen

to keep one's nose to the grindstone

Informal

1 7.7

To work hard for a long time on a difficult task without stopping

to keep an eye peeled

Informal

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

to keep the wolf from the door

Informal

1 8.1

Have just enough money to avoid hunger or poverty

to keep the home fires burning

Archaic

1 6.4

Make the home warm and caring while someone is away

to keep your head on a swivel

Informal

1 8.1

To stay very alert and watch what is happening around you

to keep one's cards close to one's chest

Informal

1 7.6

To not tell people your plans or feelings to get an advantage

to keep one's sanity

1 7.0

To stay calm and able to think clearly under stress

to keep one's end up

1 7.4

Continue doing your part for the team when things are hard

to keep one's temper

1 4.4

Stay calm and not get angry in a difficult situation

to keep the pot boiling

Informal

1 7.2

To make people stay interested and active in a project

to keep your stick on the ice

Jargon

1 9.9

Stay alert and ready to move, like resting a hockey stick on the ice

to keep your knickers on

1 9.6

Stay calm and do not become angry or upset

to keep your pants on

Informal

1 8.6

Stay calm and be patient

to take a licking and keep on ticking

Archaic

1 9.2

To keep going without giving up after facing many hard times

cobbler, keep to your last

Archaic

9.9

To tell someone to stick to what they know

to earn one's keep

Informal

3.4

Do enough work, paid or not, to pay for food and a place to live

to keep a dog and bark yourself

9.9

To do work yourself when you hired someone else to do it

to keep a tight ship

6.5

Run a team or group strictly and efficiently

to keep it between the ditches

Informal

9.9

To stay within safe limits and avoid getting into trouble

to keep on (one's) toes

Informal

5.8

Make someone stay alert and ready for surprises

to keep one's cakehole shut

Offensive

9.9

Not say anything or tell other people

to keep it juicy

7.9

To keep meat or other food moist while cooking so it stays soft

to keep it one hundred

Slang

9.7

To be completely honest and direct with someone

to keep one's ear to the ground

Informal

6.5

To pay close attention to what people say and do to know what is happening

to keep one's eyes skinned

8.2

Watch carefully for danger or a chance to act

to keep one's shoulder to the wheel

Informal

7.7

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

to keep one's head

4.6

Stay calm and think clearly in a difficult or dangerous situation

Phrasal Verbs

to keep up

507 2.8

To continue at the same speed or level as others

to keep an eye on

Informal

408 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

to keep going

357 1.6

To continue doing something without stopping

to keep on

306 1.4

Continue doing something without stopping

to keep in mind

240 3.0

To remember something when making decisions or thinking about it

to keep away

187 1.6

Stop someone or something from coming near

to keep track

174 2.7

To watch and write down progress or details

to keep out

172 1.3

To stop people or things from entering a place

to keep up with

172 3.5

To learn about the latest news or trends

to keep it moving

Informal

161 4.4

Move forward without stopping or slowing down

to keep an eye out

Informal

134 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

to keep off

127 2.4

To stay away from a place, person, or thing

to keep in

105 3.0

To make someone stay indoors because of bad weather, illness, or punishment

to keep quiet

90 2.5

To say nothing or not tell a secret

to keep it up

87 3.0

Continue doing something well with the same effort

to keep a secret

76 2.6

To not tell anyone private information

to keep in touch

75 2.1

Continue to talk or write to someone after you move away

to keep someone company

68 1.6

Stay with someone so they are not alone

to keep posted

62 3.5

Tell someone often about new events or changes

to keep open

54 3.1

Leave an option available for later use

to keep up

53 3.0

To take care of something so it stays in good condition

to keep tabs on

Informal

43 3.9

To watch someone or something closely over time to see what happens

to keep one's hands off

42 3.6

Not to touch or interfere with something that belongs to someone else

to keep (someone) company

41 2.2

Stay with someone so they are not alone

to keep apart

41 3.2

To stop people or objects from touching and mixing

to keep down

39 3.6

To stop people or groups from becoming stronger

to keep at bay

38 3.9

Stop something harmful from coming close and causing trouble

to keep in line

35 4.2

Control people so they behave properly

to keep it real

Slang

34 8.3

Stay honest and true to yourself

to keep one's distance

32 3.9

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

to keep out

31 1.0

To stay outside a place and not go in

to keep watch

30 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

to keep pace

29 3.5

Move at the same speed as someone or something

to keep it together

Informal

27 5.4

To stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

to keep to oneself

27 5.4

To not tell others your thoughts or feelings

to keep on

24 2.2

Continue to have someone working for you

to keep up

24 3.0

To stop someone from sleeping by making them stay awake

to keep warm

23 1.0

To stop yourself from getting cold

to keep options open

21 3.9

To delay a final decision so you can choose later

to keep a lid on

Informal

16 5.0

To control something so it does not grow or become known

to keep in the loop

16 3.5

To make sure someone regularly gets the latest information

to keep company

14 3.3

Spend time with someone so they are not alone

to keep in perspective

14 4.3

Think about how important something is compared to other things

to keep going

11 2.5

To have enough money or supplies to continue for a time

to keep at arm's length

10 6.3

To avoid getting too close to someone or something, often emotionally

to keep down

10 5.9

To stop yourself from throwing up food or drink

to keep safe

9 1.8

To protect people or things from danger

to keep abreast of

8 5.3

To stay informed about recent changes or news in a subject

to keep house

5 3.0

To manage a home and do cleaning and cooking

to keep a promise

5 2.5

Do what you say you will do for someone

to keep back

4 5.1

Stop yourself from showing an emotion like tears or laughter

to keep abreast

4 5.6

To stay up to date with new information

to keep organized

4 2.1

To make things tidy and put them in their places

to keep the conversation going

4 3.4

Make people continue talking so the talk does not stop

to keep back

3 4.5

Not tell or give something to other people

to keep it together

Informal

3 3.5

To make a team stay united and work well under pressure

to keep mum

Informal

3 7.5

Stay quiet about something private

to keep back

2 2.8

Save part of something to use later

to keep guard

2 3.1

To stay and watch to protect people or a place

to keep on ice

2 7.9

To delay something and keep it for later use

to keep afloat

1 4.1

Manage to avoid money problems and pay bills

to keep on practicing

1 2.6

Continue doing something to get better or keep your skills

to keep one's eyes off

1 5.9

Avoid looking at someone or something on purpose

to keep good time

1 2.7

Show the correct time all the time

to keep someone hooked

Informal

1 4.6

Make someone want to keep watching or reading

to keep off the streets

1 3.9

Stay away from the streets to avoid danger

to keep shtum

Slang

1 9.9

To stay silent on purpose to avoid trouble

to keep someone sweet

Informal

1 8.1

Make someone like you by giving them small gifts or help

to keep step

1 3.2

Move at the same pace as other people when walking or marching

to keep a tab open

Texting

3.2

Leave a web page open to check it often

to keep above water

4.9

To manage to survive when you have money problems

to keep ideas fallow

8.6

To leave ideas unused for a while so they can grow and be used later

to keep in sight

3.1

To continue to think about something as an important goal

Compounds

keep relay

Specialized

8.2

An electrical switch that stays in its last on or off position without power

How Supported

to support

753 1.4

to provide for

155 3.7

to keep

∞ 1.0

to tend

174 1.0

neglect

100 3.5

Surface Forms

keep infinitive

keeping present participle

keeps third person singular

kept past

kept past participle

Etymology

Keep comes from an old English word cepan meaning 'to hold' or 'care for'. So to keep someone is to look after and provide for them, like giving food and shelter.