keep at

keep at someone. Nag, harass, or annoy someone, as in You have to keep at Carl if you want him to do the work, or He keeps at Millie all the time. Also see keep after.

In addition to the idioms beginning with keep

• keep abreast of
• keep a civil tongue in one’s head
• keep after
• keep a low profile
• keep an eye on
• keep an eye out for
• keep a sharp lookout
• keep a stiff upper lip
• keep a straight face
• keep at
• keep at arm’s length
• keep a weather eye out
• keep back
• keep body and soul together
• keep company
• keep cool
• keep down
• keep from
• keep house
• keeping up with the Joneses
• keep in mind
• keep in the dark
• keep in touch
• keep in with
• keep it up
• keep late hours
• keep off
• keep on
• keep one’s chin up
• keep one’s cool
• keep one’s distance
• keep oneself to oneself
• keep one’s end up
• keep one’s eye on the ball
• keep one’s eyes open
• keep one’s fingers crossed
• keep one’s hand in
• keep one’s hands off
• keep one’s head
• keep one’s mouth shut
• keep one’s nose clean
• keep one’s nose to the grindstone
• keep one’s own counsel
• keep one’s powder dry
• keep one’s shirt on
• keep one’s temper
• keep one’s wits about one
• keep one’s word
• keep pace
• keep posted
• keep quiet
• keep tabs on
• keep the ball rolling
• keep the lid on
• keep the peace
• keep the wolf from the door
• keep time
• keep to
• keep to oneself
• keep track
• keep under one’s hat
• keep under wraps
• keep up
• keep watch
• keep your . . .

also see:

• earn one’s keep
• finders keepers, losers weepers
• for keeps
• in keeping
• (keep someone) in the dark