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keep
/kiːp/ verb (past tense and past participle kept)Definition
HAVE [T] › to have something permanently or for the whole of a period of time: You can keep that dress if you like it. He borrowed my bike and kept it all week. I kept my last car for two years.
keep sth in/on, etc › to regularly store something in a particular place: I think he keeps his keys in the desk drawer. We'll keep your application on file.
keep doing sth › to continue to do something, or to do something repeatedly: My diets never work, but I keep trying. I keep telling her not to leave her clothes on the floor. He keeps hitting me.
keep (sb/sth) awake/clean/safe, etc › to remain in a particular state or make someone or something remain in a particular state: Thick socks help me keep warm. He goes jogging twice a week to keep fit. He keeps his car spotlessly clean.
keep sb/sth in/inside, etc › to make someone or something stay in the same place: They will keep her at home for a few more days.
MAKE DO STH [T] › to make someone do something that stops them doing something else: [+ doing sth] She kept me talking for ages. Sorry to keep you waiting. Don't let me keep you from your work.
keep a secret › to not tell anyone a secret
keep a promise/your word, etc › to do what you have promised to do
keep an appointment › to meet someone when you have arranged to meet them
MAKE LATE [T] › to make someone arrive later than they planned: I was expecting you at six - what kept you?
WRITE [T] › to write down something in order to remember it: to keep records/notes
FOOD [I] › If food or drink keeps, it remains fresh.
PROVIDE MONEY [T] › to provide enough money for someone to live: I can't keep a family on that salary.
ANIMALS [T] › to have and look after animals: Our neighbours keep pigs.
keep sb going › to provide what someone needs for a short period of time: Dinner is at eight, but I had an apple to keep me going. → See also keep your cool → See also keep a straight face → See also keep your fingers crossed → See also put/keep sb in the picture → See also keep a low profile → See also keep a tight rein on sb/sth → See also keep tabs on sb/sth → See also keep sb on their toes
(Definition of keep verb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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