to keep open
54
3.1
- phrasal verb
:
mantener abierto
- We're keeping our options open.
- keep the option open
- keep lines of communication open
- keep an open mind
They argued that this front needed to be kept open to divert Allied troops from the Western Front.
- They argued that this front needed to be kept open to divert Allied troops from the Western Front.
- We were glad to see the alliance welcome Albania and Croatia last year, and there can be no question that NATO will continue to keep its door open to new members.
- And so I went in and came out and the Lee community kept my job open for me and everything else.
- The problem is just something someone created so that they could create an element of confusion while keeping the door open.
- and such, I like to keep things open so that if I do find something, you know, some juicy meat with some good meat on the bone,
- If you're not present and you don't have the mindset of what is possible and you keep that open, then you're missing out on a tonne.
- So just every experience we have, if we keep an open mind, we can learn from every single person we meet.
Examples
-
Keep the door open.
-
And so I went in and came out and the Lee community kept my job open for me and everything else.
-
We'll keep the line open.
-
Well, of course, then I had to give my speech to keep the hospital open.
Academic text (1997) -
I'd like to keep this line open for my team.
-
A number of the teachers suggested team meetings to keep lines of communication open.
Academic text (2004) -
The new CEO may replace them to ensure loyalty and to keep communication channels open.
Academic text (1994) -
It wouldn't hurt to keep our options open.
-
We'd keep the door open during summer for an al fresco kind of thing.
-
The manager decided to keep open the option for future collaborations with the new business partner.
Synonyms
236
3.4
To keep having something such as a job or possession
145
3.1
To keep something for a particular person or purpose
15
4.2
To avoid choosing now so other choices remain
14
3.7
Keep something available while you delay a final decision
13
3.6
To keep a chance open for the future
Antonyms
How Available
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to retain the possibility or availability' is directly derivable from combining 'keep' (to retain or continue) with 'open' (not closed or decided). This compositional keep + adjective pattern is common in English and in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Keep open comes from the simple image of leaving a door open: to keep something open so it is still there when you return. That's why it now means to leave a 'possibility' or 'option' available for later.