Here are 30 phrasal verbs with **keep**, each explained with detailed meanings and examples to help you understand how they work in different contexts: 1. **keep up** – **to maintain or continue something at the same level** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to hold or maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “up” adds the sense of sustaining or continuing at a particular level or speed. • _She runs every morning to keep up her stamina._ (She maintains her stamina by running.) • _You need to keep up with your studies to pass the exams._ (The speaker advises maintaining the effort to keep pace.) 2. **keep up with** – **to stay at the same pace or level as something or someone** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “up with” adds the sense of matching someone’s pace or staying informed. • _It’s hard to keep up with the news these days._ (The speaker finds it difficult to stay updated on current events.) • _She walked quickly, and he struggled to keep up with her._ (He had trouble maintaining the same pace.) 3. **keep on** – **to continue doing something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to continue.” **Extended meaning:** “on” adds the sense of persistence or continuation over time. • _Even though it was difficult, he kept on trying._ (He continued his efforts despite difficulties.) • _She kept on studying late into the night._ (She persisted with her studying.) 4. **keep away** – **to maintain a distance or prevent something from approaching** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “away” adds the sense of preventing closeness or contact. • _Keep away from the edge of the cliff._ (The speaker is warning to stay distant from the cliff for safety.) • _He kept the dog away from the children._ (He ensured the dog stayed distant from the kids.) 5. **keep out** – **to prevent someone or something from entering** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain control.” **Extended meaning:** “out” adds the sense of blocking entry or access. • _A fence was built to keep out intruders._ (The fence prevents intruders from entering.) • _Keep out of the kitchen while I’m cooking._ (The speaker asks someone to stay away from the kitchen.) 6. **keep off** – **to avoid stepping on or touching something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain a distance.” **Extended meaning:** “off” adds the sense of avoiding physical contact or interaction. • _Please keep off the grass._ (The speaker requests that people not walk on the grass.) • _He kept off sugary foods to maintain his diet._ (He avoided sugary foods.) 7. **keep down** – **to control or suppress something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to control.” **Extended meaning:** “down” adds the sense of reducing or minimizing. • _She kept her voice down so she wouldn’t wake the baby._ (She spoke quietly to avoid making noise.) • _We need to keep costs down to stay within budget._ (They need to minimize expenses.) 8. **keep at** – **to persist or continue with a task** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to continue.” **Extended meaning:** “at” adds the sense of persistence or focus on a specific task. • _He kept at the project until it was finished._ (He continued working on the project.) • _Keep at your studies, and you’ll succeed._ (The speaker advises persistence with studying.) 9. **keep to** – **to stick to a plan, rule, or limit** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to adhere.” **Extended meaning:** “to” adds the sense of following or staying within certain boundaries. • _Please keep to the speed limit while driving._ (The speaker asks the driver to stay within the speed limit.) • _She kept to her diet plan and lost weight._ (She followed her diet strictly.) 10. **keep from** – **to prevent someone from doing something or to avoid doing something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to restrain.” **Extended meaning:** “from” adds the sense of avoidance or prevention. • _I couldn’t keep from laughing at the joke._ (The speaker was unable to restrain laughter.) • _The rain kept us from going on our hike._ (The rain prevented them from hiking.) 11. **keep after** – **to repeatedly remind someone to do something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “after” adds the sense of following up persistently. • _She kept after her son to clean his room._ (She repeatedly reminded him to clean.) • _He kept after the employees to meet the deadline._ (He consistently reminded them about the deadline.) 12. **keep in** – **to stay indoors or to confine someone indoors** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “in” adds the sense of staying within or inside. • _They kept the students in during the storm._ (The students were confined indoors.) • _He was kept in the hospital for observation._ (He stayed in the hospital for medical observation.) 13. **keep in touch** – **to maintain communication with someone** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “in touch” adds the sense of staying connected through communication. • _Let’s keep in touch after you move._ (The speaker wants to maintain communication after the move.) • _They kept in touch through email for years._ (They maintained contact via email.) 14. **keep back** – **to hold something or someone in reserve or to stay away** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to restrain.” **Extended meaning:** “back” adds the sense of holding back or staying at a distance. • _She kept back some money for emergencies._ (She saved money for later.) • _The police kept the crowd back from the scene._ (The police made sure the crowd stayed at a distance.) 15. **keep on about** – **to talk continuously or complain about something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to continue.” **Extended meaning:** “on about” adds the sense of repetitive talking or complaining. • _He keeps on about how tired he is._ (He continuously complains about being tired.) • _She kept on about the need for better customer service._ (She repeatedly discussed the topic.) 16. **keep out of** – **to avoid involvement in something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to avoid.” **Extended meaning:** “out of” adds the sense of staying uninvolved. • _I try to keep out of office politics._ (The speaker avoids involvement in workplace politics.) • _Keep out of trouble by following the rules._ (The speaker advises staying away from trouble.) 17. **keep to oneself** – **to avoid socializing or sharing information** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “to oneself” adds the sense of being private or solitary. • _He kept to himself during the meeting._ (He didn’t speak much or socialize.) • _She tends to keep to herself, even at social gatherings._ (She avoids sharing much or interacting socially.) 18. **keep pace with** – **to move or develop at the same rate as something or someone** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “pace with” adds the sense of matching someone’s speed or progress. • _She kept pace with the top runners throughout the race._ (She matched the speed of the fastest runners.) • _The company is trying to keep pace with the latest technology._ (The company is staying up to date with technological advances.) 19. **keep at bay** – **to prevent something or someone from coming close or causing harm** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to restrain or control.” **Extended meaning:** “at bay” adds the sense of keeping something at a distance to avoid harm. • _They kept the wolves at bay with a fire._ (They used fire to prevent the wolves from coming close.) • _Regular exercise helps keep illness at bay._ (Exercise helps prevent sickness.) 20. **keep track of** – **to monitor or stay aware of something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “track of” adds the sense of monitoring or staying aware of changes. • _She kept track of her expenses in a notebook._ (She monitored her spending.) • _I have trouble keeping track of all my appointments._ (The speaker finds it hard to remember or monitor appointments.) 21. **keep under control** – **to manage or regulate something effectively** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “under control” adds the sense of ensuring that something remains managed or contained. • _The teacher kept the noisy class under control._ (The teacher managed the class’s behavior.) • _He’s trying to keep his stress under control during exams._ (He’s working to manage his stress.) 22. **keep it together** – **to maintain composure or control in a stressful situation** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “it together” adds the sense of staying composed and calm. • _Despite the pressure, she kept it together and finished the speech._ (She remained calm under pressure.) • _He’s struggling, but he’s trying to keep it together._ (He’s trying to stay composed despite difficulties.) 23. **keep tabs on** – **to closely monitor or observe someone or something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “tabs on” adds the sense of paying close attention or monitoring. • _The manager kept tabs on the team’s progress._ (The manager monitored the team closely.) • _Parents often keep tabs on their children’s activities._ (Parents frequently observe their children’s actions.) 24. **keep in mind** – **to remember or consider something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to retain.” **Extended meaning:** “in mind” adds the sense of holding something in memory or consideration. • _Keep in mind that the deadline is next week._ (The speaker reminds the listener to remember the deadline.) • _She kept in mind his preferences when choosing the gift._ (She considered his preferences.) 25. **keep up appearances** – **to maintain an outward show despite difficulties** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “up appearances” adds the sense of continuing to present a positive image. • _Even though they were struggling financially, they kept up appearances._ (They maintained the outward image of stability.) • _She tries to keep up appearances, even when she’s feeling down._ (She maintains a positive outward image.) 26. **keep in check** – **to restrain or control something** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain control.” **Extended meaning:** “in check” adds the sense of restraining or managing something so it doesn’t get out of control. • _They worked to keep inflation in check._ (They managed inflation to prevent it from rising.) • _He struggled to keep his emotions in check during the argument._ (He tried to control his emotions.) 27. **keep one’s head** – **to stay calm in a stressful situation** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “one’s head” adds the sense of maintaining calmness or clarity of thought. • _She kept her head during the crisis and managed to solve the problem._ (She remained calm and handled the situation.) • _It’s important to keep your head in stressful situations._ (Staying calm is crucial.) 28. **keep a low profile** – **to avoid attracting attention** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “a low profile” adds the sense of avoiding notice or staying under the radar. • _He kept a low profile after the scandal._ (He avoided drawing attention to himself.) • _She kept a low profile at the party, not wanting to be noticed._ (She stayed in the background.) 29. **keep one’s cool** – **to stay calm and composed** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “one’s cool” adds the sense of staying calm and not losing temper. • _He kept his cool even though everyone else was panicking._ (He stayed calm in a stressful situation.) • _It’s important to keep your cool during difficult conversations._ (Remaining calm is essential.) 30. **keep out of harm’s way** – **to stay safe or avoid danger** **Base meaning:** “keep” means “to maintain.” **Extended meaning:** “out of harm’s way” adds the sense of staying safe and avoiding dangerous situations. • _Parents try to keep their children out of harm’s way._ (Parents ensure their children stay safe.) • _She stayed indoors to keep out of harm’s way during the storm._ (She stayed inside to avoid danger.) These 30 phrasal verbs with **keep** offer a wide variety of uses, from physical actions like keeping things out or away to more abstract uses like keeping calm or maintaining appearances. The explanations and examples will help you understand how to use each of these phrasal verbs in different contexts.