| keep * around | have handy, have accessible | I always keep a dictionary around to translate new words. |
| keep at + | not give up (an activity), to persevere | You should keep at your studies. |
| keep * away | prevent access to, hold back | Keep the kids away from the cookies. |
| keep * back | maintain a safe distance, cause to maintain a safe distance | Keep back! The burning building is about to collapse. |
| keep * down | not vomit, not throw up, keep in one’s stomach | If I ate that, I down know if I could keep it down. |
| keep * in | keep in a particular place, have something in a specific location | When I am not using it, I keep my passport in this drawer. |
| keep * off | prevent from stepping or climbing on to something | Keep the cat off the couch. |
| keep on | continue | He kept on talking after everybody asked him to stop. |
| keep * out | prevent from entering | Keep the dog out of the garden; he keeps digging up the flowers. |
| keep * over | cover something with, put something above | I keep a tarp over my bicycle at night to prevent it from getting wet. |
| keep to + | continue, persist in (an activity) | Everybody said she would never finish the puzzle, but she kept to it until it was done. |
| keep up | stay on the required schedule | You have to keep up if you want to work here. |
| keep * up + | continue | You are doing a great job! Keep it up. |
| keep up with + | stay on schedule with (a person, the workload, homework) | I have so much reading that I can’t keep up with the writing exercises. |
| kick back | sit or lie back (to relax) | After work, I like to kick back in front of the TV and relax. |
| kick in | begin taking effect | The medicine takes one hour to kick in. |
