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Glite Dictionary
to keep the conversation going

to keep the conversation going

4 3.4
Make people continue talking so the talk does not stop
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : mantener la conversación
  • While they waited, Robert tried hard to keep the conversation going.

Two ways on how you can keep the conversation going with a woman.

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Examples

  • My sister kept the conversation going.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Even if we don't agree in the end, I think it's crucial for our community to keep the conversation going.

    Blog text (15)

  • Two ways on how you can keep the conversation going with a woman.

    Apollonia Ponti

  • Just want to keep the conversation going, okay?

    The Last Rodeo (2025)

  • Probably best, though, just to keep the conversation going for now.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • In fact, we think it's the perfect time to keep the conversation going.

    Blog text (23)

  • Meanwhile, please feel free to keep the conversation going in the comments section.

    Blog text (6)

  • I would like to keep the conversation going if I can.

    Blog text (18)

  • Students must learn what topics are relevant for the conversation and must keep the conversation going in order to demonstrate good pragmatic skills.

    Academic text (1993)

  • At dinner, Sarah asked about my travels to keep the conversation going.

Synonyms

to continue
vsto keep the conversation going
586 1.0

To stay in the same job or role

applies to actively maintaining dialogue flow rather than simply remaining
to carry on
vsto keep the conversation going
253 2.7

To continue doing something after an interruption or when it is difficult

focuses on preventing pauses in dialogue rather than enduring difficulty
to converse
vsto keep the conversation going
29 3.3

To talk with someone in a friendly way

maintains a flowing talk without pauses or lapses
to carry on with
vsto keep the conversation going
19 2.6

Continue doing something after a pause or interruption

maintains dialogue continuously to prevent pauses or lapses

Antonyms

to leave it at that
49 5.3

To stop talking about an issue and accept it as it is

to leave at that
4.6

Stop discussing a topic and not talk about it more

How Long

to ramble
  • Informal
48 5.3
to keep the conversation going
4 3.4
to go on
∞ 1.8
to continue
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

keep the conversation going infinitive
keeping the conversation going present participle
keeps the conversation going third person singular
kept the conversation going past
kept the conversation going past participle

Morphology

keep + the + conversation + going

The meaning 'to maintain or continue a dialogue' is directly derivable from the parts: 'keep' = continue/retain, 'conversation' = dialogue, and 'going' = continuing. This is a common, compositional English pattern (keep + NP + going) that a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand.

Etymology

Keep the conversation going creates the simple image of people passing a ball back and forth so the game does not stop. If you keep the conversation going, you pass questions or short stories to the other person to make the talk 'continue' rather than end.