[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/keep/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [K](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/k/) / keep # keep verb (keep, keeps, kept, keeping); noun (your keep — food and a home; «for keeps» — forever) «keep» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To keep something is to go on having it and not give it away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m1) 2. To keep doing something is to go on doing it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m2) 3. To keep something in a place is to store it there. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m3) 4. To keep a promise or a secret is to not break it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m4) 5. To keep someone or something safe, warm or clean is to make it stay that way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m5) 6. Food that keeps stays good to eat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m6) 7. (casual) «For keeps» means forever; «keep it real» means be honest; «keep your hair on» (UK) means calm down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m7) 8. (rude) «Keep your nose out», «keep your hands off my stuff» are blunt warnings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m8) 9. (formal) Exams say «retain», «preserve», «maintain», «hold in reserve» or «remain in the possession of». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m9) 10. To keep watch means to stay awake and alert, looking out for danger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#m10) ### In the lessons to hold some things back, so they stay with the actor; keeping changes no count; phrases: «keep on», «keep away», «keep out», «keep up», «keep a secret», «keep safe», «keep warm», «keep the change», «keep score»; in casual talk «keep it real», «for keeps», «keep ya hair on»; in rough talk «keep your mitts off my chips», «keep your gob shut»; in the exam voice «the number retained», «remaining in the possession of», «maintain a constant speed» ### Examples - Sam keeps 3 stamps and gives the rest to Mia. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x1) - Anna kept 5 of her 12 cookies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x2) - Ben keeps his marbles in 4 jars. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x3) - Keep the change! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x4) - Keep going, you're nearly there! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x5) - Keep away from the edge of the cliff. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x6) - Wear a hat to keep warm in the snow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x7) - Can I keep it? For keeps? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x8) - Keep your mitts off my chips, I've only got 6 left. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x9) - Keep ya hair on, I'll give you 2. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x10) - Of 12 cookies, the subject retains 5 and transfers the remainder. Ascertain the number transferred. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x11) - Milk keeps for about a week in the fridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x12) - To-night we'll both keep watch together." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/#x13) ### Note Past: kept. Keeping changes no count; it tells how much stays, so «the rest» is the whole minus what is kept. «retain» in an exam means keep. «keep score» means count the points. Safety: a good secret is fun (a surprise party); a secret that makes you feel bad should be told to an adult you trust, even if someone says «keep your mouth shut». ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah to keep means to guard and obey a command, as in keeping the Sabbath or a festival. It also means to protect. In Psalms it also means to stay faithful to the commandments, and "keep not silence" means to speak up and act. **Interpretation.** Tradition says "remember" and "keep" the Sabbath were spoken by God together. Keeping the commandments is the heart of Israel's covenant, and the priestly blessing asks God to keep the people. Psalm 119 is read as praising the commandments as the way for a young person to live purely. ### Examples - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; (Torah NUM.6.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x1) - All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. (Torah EXO.12.47, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x2) - Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Torah EXO.20.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x3) - O God of my praise, keep not silence; (Writings PSA.109.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x4) - Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? (Writings PSA.119.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x5) - If they profane My statutes, and keep not My commandments; (Writings PSA.89.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/#x6) ### Note Past: kept. Keeping changes no count; it tells how much stays, so «the rest» is the whole minus what is kept. «retain» in an exam means keep. «keep score» means count the points. Safety: a good secret is fun (a surprise party); a secret that makes you feel bad should be told to an adult you trust, even if someone says «keep your mouth shut». ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «keep» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/keep/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«keep» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/keep.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «keep» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/keep/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«keep» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/keep.html) on Mova free.