Phrasal verbs with keep
Keep is about continuing, or holding something where it is: keep on going, keep up with the class, keep off the grass, keep away from the edge.
Phrasal verbs with keep by level
- A1–A20—
- B14keep up, keep on, keep off
- B210keep up, keep off, keep out
- C1–C24keep on, keep off, keep up with
Each meaning has its own level, from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and the Cambridge Dictionary, or our estimate (~) where they give none.
B1Common, with a clear meaning 4 meanings
- keep upkeep something upB1
continue doing something at the same good level
Great results! Keep up the good work.
- keep onkeep onB1
continue doing something, or do it again and again
Keep on walking until you see the church.
- keep offkeep something offB1
not walk on something or touch it
The sign says “Keep off the grass.”
- keep outkeep outB1
not go into a place
The sign on the door said “Private. Keep out.”
B2Second meanings and more idiomatic ones 10 meanings
- keep upkeep upB2
go or learn as fast as others
Slow down, I can’t keep up!
- keep upkeep somebody upB2
stop someone from going to bed or sleeping
Sorry, I hope I’m not keeping you up.
- keep offkeep off somethingB2
not eat, drink or use something that is bad for you
The doctor told me to keep off fatty food.
- keep outkeep something outB2
stop someone or something from coming into a place
Close the window to keep the flies out.
- keep outkeep outB2
not get involved in something
Keep out of this. It’s between me and Sam.
- keep up withkeep up with somebody or somethingB2
go, work or learn as fast as someone or something
I walk fast, but I can’t keep up with my brother.
- keep up withkeep up with somethingB2
know the latest news or changes about something
I read the news every morning to keep up with world events.
- keep up withkeep up with somebody or somethingB2
stay in contact with someone
I still keep up with a few friends from school.
- keep awaykeep awayB2
not go near someone or something
Keep away from the edge of the cliff!
- keep awaykeep something awayB2
stop someone or something from coming near
Keep medicines away from children.
C1–C2Less common and more formal 4 meanings
- keep onkeep onC1
talk to someone again and again about something, in an annoying way
My mum keeps on at me to get a haircut.
- keep onkeep somebody onC1
continue to employ someone
The shop kept two staff on after the summer.
- keep offkeep off somethingC1
avoid talking about a subject
At dinner, let’s keep off politics.
- keep up withkeep up with somethingC1
continue to pay or do something regularly
They couldn’t keep up with the payments on the car.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
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Phrasal verbs with keep that people mix up
Close in meaning, but not the same.
keep up or keep up with?
keep up: continue doing something at the same good level.
keep up with: the same as meaning two, with the person or thing named.
keep on: continue doing something, or do it again and again.
keep up: continue at the same good level.
keep off: not walk on something or touch it.
keep away: not go near something or someone.
keep out: not go into a place.
keep away: not go near something.
Phrasal verbs with keep: exercise with answers
Eight questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1I’m ill, so I’ll _____ from the baby.
Keep away: not go near someone or something. More on keep away
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2Sorry, I hope I’m not _____ you _____.
Keep up: stop someone from going to bed or sleeping. More on keep up
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3Kids should keep _____ of the building site. (not go into a place)
Keep out: not go into a place. More on keep out
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4Which is correct? (go, work or learn as fast as someone or something)
Keep up with is not separable here: the object goes after it. More on keep up with
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5Why do you _____ asking me the same question?
Keep on: continue doing something, or do it again and again. More on keep on
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6Can we keep off work talk for one evening? What does it mean here?
Keep off: avoid talking about a subject. More on keep off
Phrasal verbs with keep: FAQ
How many phrasal verbs with keep are there?
Dictionaries list many more, but these 6 are the ones learners meet most, with 18 meanings between them. Each has its own page with examples, common mistakes and a short quiz.
What are the most common phrasal verbs with keep?
Start with the A1 and A2 ones: keep up, keep on, keep off, keep out. Then the B1 ones, which are common in everyday conversation.
Which phrasal verbs with keep are separable?
5 of them have at least one separable meaning, where the object can go in the middle: keep up, keep on, keep off, keep out, keep away. With a pronoun like it or them, the object must go in the middle.