757
keep-away
**keel²** *v*
**keel over** *phr v* [I] to fall over sideways: The ship *keeled over in the storm*. | My drink must have been drugged; when I tried to stand up, I *keeled over*.
**Kee-ler, Chris-tine** /'ki:lə, 'kristi:n/ (1942–) a British model, known for her part in the Profumo Scandal, which caused serious problems and embarrassment for the UK Conservative government in 1963
**keen¹** /ki:n/ *adj especially BrE* **1** [(on)] (of a person) having a strong, active interest in something; eager to do something: *a keen golfer/student of politics* | *She's keen on (=likes) football/growing roses*. | *He's very keen on the girl next door*. | [F+to-v] *She's very keen to go*. | *Her father is keen for her to go to university*. **2** (of a competition or struggle) done with eagerness and activity on both sides; INTENSE: *There's been keen competition for the job*. **3** (of the mind, the feelings, the senses etc) good, strong, quick at understanding etc: *a keen mind* | *keen eyesight* **4** *lit* sharp: *a keen-edged sword* | (fig.) *a keen wind blowing from the east* **5** **as keen as mustard** *infml, especially BrE* **a**) extremely eager **b**) very quick to understand; clever —**-ly** *adv* —**-ness** *n* [U]
**keen²** *n* (in Ireland) a loud sad song or cry of grief for the dead —**keen** *v* [I]
**keep¹** /ki:p/ *v* **kept** /kept/ **1** [T] to have without needing to give back: *You can keep it; I don't need it*. | 'The price is £4.50, sir.' 'Here's £5; *keep the change*.' **2** [T] to continue to have for some time or for more time; avoid losing: *Will you keep my place in the queue for me (=prevent anyone else from taking it) while I go and make a phone call?* | *These old clothes are not worth keeping*. | *I won't smoke the cigar now; I'll keep it for later*. | *I'll keep his address in case I need it*. | *I think we should keep an open mind (=not make a firm decision) on this until we know all the facts*. | *She just managed to keep her temper (=not become angry)*. | *The police struggled to keep order*. **3** [T] to cause to remain or continue in a particular state or situation: [+obj+adj/adv/prep] *This coat will keep you warm*. | *This will keep the children amused*. | *The illness kept her in hospital/kept her away from work for six weeks*. | *I keep (=store) the plates in this cupboard*. | [+obj+v-ing] *I'm sorry to keep you waiting*. (=to make you wait for a long time) | *They use computers to keep the traffic running smoothly*. **4** [I;L] **a**) to continue to be in a particular place or condition; remain; stay: [+adv/prep] *Try to keep out of trouble*. | *Keep back! It may explode*. | *Keep off the grass*. | *Keep left when you get to the end of the street*. | [+adj] *It's difficult to keep warm here*. | *Try to keep calm – there's nothing to worry about*. **b**) [+v-ing] to continue in an activity: *I wish you wouldn't keep (on) interrupting*. (=make continuous interruptions) | *The children keep pestering me to take them to the zoo*. | *Keep going (=do not stop) till you reach the traffic lights*. **5** [T] to fulfil: *She kept her promise/word*. (=did what she promised she would do) | *My train was badly delayed, so I was unable to keep my appointment*. **6** [I T(from)] to hold back; delay or prevent: *You're late; what kept you?* | *I know you're busy; I won't keep you (from your work)*. | *Can't you keep your dog from coming into my garden?* ➡ see also **keep the wolf from one's door** (WOLF) **7** [T] to know (a secret) without telling (it): *She kept his secret for 15 years*. **8** [T] to make regular written records of or in: *Keep an account of what you spend*. | *Do you keep a diary?* **9** [T] to take care of and provide with food, money etc; support: *She kept her brother's children when he died*. **10** [T] to own and/or have the use of: *They keep chickens in their back garden*. | *She keeps (=owns and runs) a small shop*. | *You need to be very rich now to keep (=employ) servants*. **11** [I] (of food) to remain fresh and fit to eat: *This fish won't keep: we must eat it now*. | (fig.) 'I've got something to tell you!' 'Won't it keep until (=can't you tell me about it) later?' **12** [I+adv, especially well] *old-fash infml* to be in the stated condition of health: 'How are you keeping?' 'I'm keeping quite well, thank you.' **13** [T(from)] *fml* to guard; protect: *May God keep you (from harm)!* **14** [T] *old-fash* to behave suitably in relation to (an especially religious day), meaning to perform all the usual customs, eat the usual foods etc, which have always been done/eaten on that day: *The Victorians certainly knew how to keep Christmas*. **15** **keep (oneself) to oneself** not to mix with or talk to other people very much **16** **keep one's shirt on** also **keep one's hair on** *BrE — infml* to remain calm; not to become upset or angry: *It was only a joke – keep your shirt on!* ➡ see also **keep someone company** (COMPANY), **keep time** (TIME)
**keep around** *phr v* [I] *infml* to keep something which may seem to have no value because it may be useful later: *I think I'll keep those old boots around in case we go climbing*. | *She wanted to sell the car but I told her to keep it around*.
**keep (sbdy.) at sthg.** *phr v* [T no pass.] *infml* to (force to) continue working at: *The work is tiring, but he'll keep at it until he's finished*. | *The teacher kept us at it all afternoon*.
**keep sthg. ⇔ back** *phr v* [T] **1** not to tell; keep silent about; WITHHOLD: *She told them most of the story, but kept back the bit about her uncle*. **2** to keep (usually some of something) in one's possession; RETAIN: *His employers kept back some of his wages to pay for the damage he'd done*.
**keep sbdy./sthg. ⇔ down** *phr v* [T] **1** to control; prevent from increasing: *Chemicals are used for keeping insects down*. | *The government is trying to keep down inflation*. | *Would you keep it down (=not make noise) in there. I'm on the telephone*. **2** to keep in a state like slavery; OPPRESS **3** to prevent (food or drink) from passing back from the stomach through the mouth: *I can't keep this horrible medicine down*.
**keep from** *phr v* [T+v-ing] **1** (**keep sthg. from sbdy.**) not to tell (someone) about (something); prevent from hearing about: *We thought it best to keep the bad news from him*. **2** [+v-ing] (**keep from sthg.**) to prevent oneself from (doing something): *I could hardly keep from laughing*. ➡ see also **KEEP¹**
**keep sbdy./sthg. ⇔ in** *phr v* [T] to force (a person or animal) to stay inside, especially a child in school as a punishment: *The whole class was kept in for being so noisy*.
**keep in with sbdy.** *phr v* [T] to (try to) remain friendly with, especially for one's own advantage
**keep off** *phr v* [I;T(= keep sthg. ⇔ off)] to (cause to) not come or happen: *Take a beach umbrella to keep the sun off*. (=to stop it shining on you) | *If the rain keeps off (=if it doesn't rain) we'll go out*.
**keep on** *phr v* **1** [L+v-ing] to continue doing something: *Prices keep on increasing*. ➡ see also **KEEP¹** **2** [T(keep sbdy./sthg. ⇔ on)] to continue to have or employ: *I'll keep the flat on through the summer*. | *Will you be able to keep your secretary on?* **3** [I(about, at)] *especially BrE infml derog* to talk continuously: *He keeps on about his operation*. | [+to-v] *His wife kept on at him (=continually tried to persuade him) to change his job*.
**keep out** *phr v* [I;T(= keep sbdy./sthg. ⇔ out)] to (cause to) stay away or not enter: *Can't you boys read? The notice says 'Keep out!'* | *Warm clothing will keep out the cold*. | *I try to keep out of (=not become concerned with) their family quarrels*.
**keep to** *phr v* [T] **1** [(keep to sthg.)] to follow closely or limit oneself to: *Don't raise irrelevant matters, we must try and keep to the subject*. | *Let's keep to the original plan*. **2** [(keep to sthg.)] to remain in the stated position or place: *Traffic in Britain keeps to the left*. | *He kept to his room for the first few days of term*. **3** [(keep sthg. to sbdy.)] to cause (something) to remain known only to (oneself): *I'm resigning – but keep it to yourself!*
**keep up** *phr v* **1** [T(keep sthg. ⇔ up)] to prevent from falling or dropping: *a belt to keep my trousers up* | (fig.) *She kept up her spirits (=remained cheerful) by singing*. **2** [I;T(= keep sthg. ⇔ up)] to (cause to) continue: *Keep up the good work*. | *Keep it up; don't stop now*. | *Will the fine weather keep up?* **3** [I(with)] to remain level: *I had to run to keep up (with the girls)*. | (fig.) *I can't keep up with these changes in fashion*. (=they change too quickly for me to know about each one) **4** [T(keep sbdy. up)] *infml* to prevent from going to bed: *I hope I'm not keeping you up*. **5** [T(keep sthg. ⇔ up)] to look after and keep in good condition: *How do you keep up this large house?* ➡ see also **UPKEEP** **6** **keep up appearances** to behave in an ordinary way when one is in difficulties, especially when one has become poor, so as to persuade others that nothing is wrong **7** **keep up with the Joneses** *derog* to compete with one's neighbours socially, especially by buying the same expensive new things that they buy: 'Oh, she only bought those new curtains to keep up with the Joneses.'
**keep with** *phr v* [T] *AmE infml, old-fash* to agree with (a practice or set of values): *I've kept with the Catholic faith all my life*. | *I don't keep with drinking*.
**keep²** *n* **1** [U] (the cost of providing) necessary goods and services, especially food and lodgings: *She made her do odd jobs around the house to earn her keep*. **2** [C] a large strong tower, usually in the centre of a castle ➡ see also **KEEPS**
**Keep A-mer-i-ca 'Beautiful** the SLOGAN of a CAMPAIGN¹ to encourage American people not to drop LITTER in the streets
**'keep-a-way** *n* [U] a game played by children in the US in which the object is to throw a ball between two people without letting a third person in the middle catch it
K