Dictionary entries for 'keeping'

Synonyms

keep·ing (kḗpĭng)

noun

The act of holding, guarding, or supporting.
Custody; care. See synonyms at care
Harmony; conformity: “A facade had been added, in perfect keeping with original architecture” (Nancy Holmes)

keep (kēp)

[Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan, to observe, seize.]

To retain possession of: kept the change; must keep your composure.
To have as a supply: keep an ax in the shed.
1. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support: “There's little to earn and many to keep” (Charles Kingsley)
2. To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
To put customarily; store: Where do you keep your saw?
1. To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
2. To raise: keep chickens.
To maintain for use or service: an urbanite who didn't keep a car.
To manage, tend, or have charge of: Keep the shop while I'm away.
To preserve (food).
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action: tried to keep the patient calm.
1. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
2. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
1. To detain: was kept after school.
2. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
3. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
4. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
5. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To adhere or conform to; follow: keep late hours.
To be faithful to; fulfill: keep one's word.
To celebrate; observe.

keep at: To persevere in work or an action.
keep down: To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.; To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.; To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.
keep off: To stay away from.
keep to: To adhere to: keep to the original purpose.
keep up: To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.; To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.; To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.; To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).; To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.; To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.

for keeps: For an indefinitely long period: gave the ring to me for keeps. Seriously and permanently: We're separating for keeps.
keep an eye on: To watch over attentively; mind. To watch closely or carefully: keep your eye on the ball.
keep an eye out: To be watchful.
keep a stiff upper lip: To be courageous or stoic in the face of adversity.
keep company: To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married. To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.
keep (one's) chin up: To be stalwart, courageous, or optimistic in the face of difficulty.
keep (one's) eyes open: To be on the lookout.
keep (one's) nose clean: To stay out of trouble.
keep pace: To stay even with others, as in a contest.
keep (someone) company: To accompany or remain with.
keep the wolf from the door: To avoid the privation and suffering resulting from a lack of money: Both spouses had to work in order to keep the wolf from the door.
keep time: To indicate the correct time. Music To maintain the tempo or rhythm.
keep to (oneself): To shun the company of others: She kept to herself all morning. To refrain from divulging: He kept the news to himself.