keeps









keeps


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Sense of “preserve, maintain” is from mid-14c. Meaning “to maintain in proper order” is from 1550s; meaning “financially support and privately control” (usually in reference to mistresses) is from 1540s. Related: Kept; keeping.

n.

mid-13c., “care or heed in watching,” from keep (v.). Meaning “innermost stronghold of a tower” is from 1580s, perhaps a translation of Italian tenazza, with a notion of “that which keeps” (someone or something); the sense of “food required to keep a person or animal” is attested from 1801. For keeps “completely, for good” is American English colloquial, from 1861.

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
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