{"id":8418,"date":"2026-08-17T00:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T00:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/phrasal-verbs-with-keep\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T00:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T00:15:14","slug":"phrasal-verbs-with-keep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/fr\/phrasal-verbs-with-keep\/","title":{"rendered":"10 KEEP Phrasal Verbs You Need to Know | KEEP \u52d5\u8a5e\u7247\u8a9e\u5fc5\u5b7810\u500b"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer \u5feb\u901f\u89e3\u7b54:<\/strong> KEEP generates 10+ essential English phrasal verbs used in daily conversation, at work, and in study. The most important are: keep up<\/strong> (\u8ddf\u4e0a), keep on<\/strong> (\u7e7c\u7e8c), keep out<\/strong> (\u963b\u6b62\u9032\u5165), keep back<\/strong> (\u4fdd\u7559\/\u963b\u6b62), keep down<\/strong> (\u58d3\u4f4e\/\u4fdd\u6301\u5b89\u975c), keep to<\/strong> (\u9075\u5b88\/\u5805\u6301), and keep away<\/strong> (\u4fdd\u6301\u8ddd\u96e2). This guide covers all 10 with bilingual examples and clear explanations for ESL learners.\n<\/div>\n

KEEP is one of those English verbs that does far more than its dictionary definition suggests. You already know it means “to have” or “not to give back,” but native speakers routinely say things like “keep at it,” “keep your voice down,” or “keep from laughing” \u2014 none of which are obvious from the base verb alone. These KEEP phrasal verbs appear constantly in office conversations, everyday instructions, and even on public signs. Once you know the 10 most common, a large chunk of natural English starts clicking into place.<\/p>\n

1. Keep Up | \u8ddf\u4e0a\u3001\u4fdd\u6301\u6b65\u8abf<\/h2>\n

“Keep up” means to maintain the same pace or level as something or someone else \u2014 to not fall behind. It’s one of the most versatile entries on this list: you can keep up with work, with trends, with people, or with a physical pace.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • “I’ve been so busy \u2014 I can’t keep up<\/strong> with my email.” \uff08\u6211\u6700\u8fd1\u592a\u5fd9\u4e86\u2014\u2014\u7121\u6cd5\u8ddf\u4e0a\u6211\u7684\u96fb\u5b50\u90f5\u4ef6\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
  • “She runs so fast. I could barely keep up<\/strong> with her.” \uff08\u5979\u8dd1\u5f97\u5f88\u5feb\u3002\u6211\u5e7e\u4e4e\u8ddf\u4e0d\u4e0a\u5979\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
  • \u201cKeep it up!<\/strong> You’re making real progress.” \uff08\u7e7c\u7e8c\u4fdd\u6301\uff01\u4f60\u5728\u771f\u6b63\u9032\u6b65\u4e86\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Notice that last example: “keep it up” is an encouragement phrase \u2014 you’re telling someone to maintain whatever good thing they’re doing. You’ll hear it after a sports performance, a business result, or even a language learning streak.<\/p>\n

    \"keep
    Keep up: don’t fall behind \u2014 maintain the pace, whether in exercise, work, or learning.<\/em><\/p>\n

    2. Keep On | \u7e7c\u7e8c\u3001\u6301\u7e8c\u505a\u67d0\u4e8b<\/h2>\n

    “Keep on” means to continue doing something without stopping, often despite difficulty or obstacles. It carries a slightly stronger emphasis on persistence than simply “continue” \u2014 there’s an implication that stopping was tempting.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \u201cKeep on<\/strong> practicing every day and your English will improve.” \uff08\u6bcf\u5929\u7e7c\u7e8c\u7df4\u7fd2\uff0c\u4f60\u7684\u82f1\u6587\u5c31\u6703\u9032\u6b65\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
    • \u201c"Elle kept on<\/strong> applying for jobs even after 20 rejections.” \uff08\u5979\u5728\u88ab\u62d2\u7d5520\u6b21\u5f8c\u4ecd\u7e7c\u7e8c\u7533\u8acb\u5de5\u4f5c\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
    • “Why do you keep on<\/strong> making the same mistake?” \uff08\u4f60\u70ba\u4ec0\u9ebc\u4e00\u76f4\u72af\u540c\u6a23\u7684\u932f\u8aa4\uff1f\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      That third example shows a frustrated meaning \u2014 “keep on” in a question often signals irritation. The speaker isn’t just noticing repetition; they’re questioning it. Tone is everything with this one.<\/p>\n

      \"keep
      Keep on: push through obstacles and continue \u2014 the verb of stubborn, productive persistence.<\/em><\/p>\n

      3. Keep Out | \u963b\u6b62\u9032\u5165\u3001\u7981\u6b62\u9032\u5165<\/h2>\n

      “Keep out” means to prevent someone or something from entering a space. You’ll see it on signs \u2014 “Keep Out” in red letters means exactly what it says. As a phrasal verb in conversation, it means to exclude someone or to prevent access.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • “The fence was built to keep out<\/strong> wildlife.” \uff08\u570d\u6b04\u662f\u70ba\u4e86\u963b\u6b62\u91ce\u751f\u52d5\u7269\u9032\u5165\u800c\u5efa\u7684\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
      • “We need better insulation to keep out<\/strong> the cold.” \uff08\u6211\u5011\u9700\u8981\u66f4\u597d\u7684\u9694\u71b1\u6750\u6599\u4f86\u963b\u6b62\u5bd2\u51b7\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
      • “He was deliberately kept out<\/strong> of the decision-making process.” \uff08\u4ed6\u88ab\u523b\u610f\u6392\u9664\u5728\u6c7a\u7b56\u904e\u7a0b\u4e4b\u5916\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Note that “keep out” is separable: the object can come between the verb and particle (“keep the cold out”) or after it (“keep out the cold”). Both are correct, though pronouns must split it (“keep it out,” not “keep out it”).<\/p>\n

        \"keep
        Keep out: the clearest sign of where a boundary lies \u2014 and how to express it in English.<\/em><\/p>\n

        4. Keep Back | \u4fdd\u7559\u3001\u963b\u6b62\u3001\u4e0d\u900f\u9732<\/h2>\n

        “Keep back” has two related meanings: to physically hold something or someone in place, and to withhold information or feelings. Both uses are common in business and personal English.<\/p>\n

          \n
        • “Security guards kept the crowd back<\/strong> from the stage.” \uff08\u4fdd\u5b89\u4eba\u54e1\u963b\u6b62\u4eba\u7fa4\u9760\u8fd1\u821e\u53f0\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
        • “Is there something you’re keeping back<\/strong> from me?” \uff08\u4f60\u6709\u4ec0\u9ebc\u4e8b\u60c5\u5728\u779e\u8457\u6211\u55ce\uff1f\uff09<\/li>\n
        • \u201cKeep back<\/strong> 10% of the payment until the project is complete.” \uff08\u5728\u9805\u76ee\u5b8c\u6210\u524d\u4fdd\u755910%\u7684\u6b3e\u9805\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          In professional contexts, “keep back” around payments or documents means to withhold them deliberately \u2014 for security, leverage, or policy. In personal contexts, it often implies emotional withholding or secrecy.<\/p>\n

          \"keep
          Keep back: hold something in place \u2014 whether a crowd, a payment, or a secret.<\/em><\/p>\n

          5. Keep Down | \u58d3\u4f4e\u8072\u97f3\u3001\u7dad\u6301\u4f4e\u6c34\u5e73<\/h2>\n

          “Keep down” covers several practical uses: keeping noise at a low level, keeping costs controlled, keeping food from coming back up (medical use), and suppressing a group or movement.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • “Could you keep it down<\/strong>? I’m trying to concentrate.” \uff08\u4f60\u80fd\u5c0f\u8072\u9ede\u55ce\uff1f\u6211\u5728\u5617\u8a66\u96c6\u4e2d\u6ce8\u610f\u529b\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
          • “We need to keep costs down<\/strong> this quarter.” \uff08\u6211\u5011\u9019\u5b63\u9700\u8981\u63a7\u5236\u6210\u672c\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
          • “The new medication helps patients keep food down<\/strong> after surgery.” \uff08\u65b0\u85e5\u7269\u5e6b\u52a9\u60a3\u8005\u5728\u624b\u8853\u5f8c\u4fdd\u6301\u98df\u7269\u4e0d\u5410\u51fa\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            “Keep it down” is one of the most common informal requests for quiet in English-speaking environments \u2014 offices, libraries, apartments. The “it” refers to noise or volume, even though “it” isn’t technically specific. This is a fixed expression worth memorizing as a chunk.<\/p>\n

            \"keep
            Keep down: lower the volume, control the costs, or suppress the discomfort \u2014 one phrasal verb, multiple contexts.<\/em><\/p>\n

            6. Keep To | \u9075\u5b88\u3001\u5805\u6301\uff08\u8a08\u5283\u6216\u8def\u7dda\uff09<\/h2>\n

            “Keep to” means to stay within a set limit, rule, or plan. You keep to a schedule, a diet, a path, or an agreement. It implies discipline and adherence to something established.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • “Please keep to<\/strong> the designated path.” \uff08\u8acb\u8d70\u6307\u5b9a\u8def\u5f91\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
            • “We need to keep to<\/strong> the budget \u2014 no exceptions this time.” \uff08\u6211\u5011\u9700\u8981\u9075\u5b88\u9810\u7b97\u2014\u2014\u9019\u6b21\u6c92\u6709\u4f8b\u5916\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
            • \u201c"Elle keeps to<\/strong> herself at the office.” \uff08\u5979\u5728\u8fa6\u516c\u5ba4\u88e1\u4e0d\u611b\u8207\u4eba\u4f86\u5f80\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              That last example is a standalone idiom: “keeps to herself” means she’s private, introverted, or avoidant of social interaction. This is different from the planning\/rule sense, but both use the same “staying within boundaries” logic.<\/p>\n

              \"keep
              Keep to: stay on the path, follow the plan, or respect the rules \u2014 discipline in motion.<\/em><\/p>\n

              7. Keep Away | \u4fdd\u6301\u8ddd\u96e2\u3001\u9060\u96e2<\/h2>\n

              “Keep away” means to maintain distance from something \u2014 either by choice or by instruction. You’ll encounter it in safety warnings, medical instructions, and personal boundaries.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • \u201cKeep away<\/strong> from the edge of the platform.” \uff08\u8acb\u9060\u96e2\u6708\u53f0\u908a\u7de3\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
              • “The doctor told him to keep away<\/strong> from alcohol for six months.” \uff08\u91ab\u751f\u544a\u8a34\u4ed6\u516d\u500b\u6708\u5167\u8981\u9060\u96e2\u9152\u7cbe\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
              • “I tried to keep away<\/strong> from the situation, but I got pulled in anyway.” \uff08\u6211\u8a66\u5716\u9060\u96e2\u9019\u7a2e\u60c5\u6cc1\uff0c\u4f46\u9084\u662f\u88ab\u6372\u9032\u53bb\u4e86\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                In Taiwan, you’ll sometimes see “Keep Away” on electrical equipment, chemical containers, or construction zones. Knowing this phrase means you understand safety signage in English-language workplaces without needing a translation.<\/p>\n

                \"keep
                Keep away: distance is the point \u2014 whether from danger, temptation, or conflict.<\/em><\/p>\n

                8. Keep From | \u963b\u6b62\u3001\u5fcd\u4f4f<\/h2>\n

                “Keep from” means to prevent someone from doing something, or to stop yourself from doing something (often with difficulty). The self-control sense is particularly common.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • “I could barely keep from<\/strong> laughing during the meeting.” \uff08\u6703\u8b70\u4e2d\u6211\u5e7e\u4e4e\u5fcd\u4e0d\u4f4f\u7b11\u51fa\u4f86\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
                • “What’s keeping<\/strong> you from<\/strong> applying for the promotion?” \uff08\u4ec0\u9ebc\u539f\u56e0\u8b93\u4f60\u6c92\u6709\u7533\u8acb\u5347\u8077\uff1f\uff09<\/li>\n
                • “They tried to keep<\/strong> the news from<\/strong> the public.” \uff08\u4ed6\u5011\u8a66\u5716\u5c0d\u516c\u773e\u96b1\u779e\u9019\u500b\u6d88\u606f\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  The second example is a job interview question phrased as a phrasal verb. “What’s keeping you from X?” means “What’s preventing you from X?” \u2014 and it carries a challenge tone: why haven’t you done this already?<\/p>\n

                  9. Keep At | \u6301\u7e8c\u52aa\u529b\u3001\u5805\u6301\u4e0d\u61c8<\/h2>\n

                  “Keep at” means to continue working hard on something difficult, often over a long period. It’s an encouragement verb \u2014 you say it when someone is struggling but shouldn’t give up.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • “Learning a language is hard, but keep at it<\/strong>.” \uff08\u5b78\u8a9e\u8a00\u5f88\u96e3\uff0c\u4f46\u8981\u5805\u6301\u4e0b\u53bb\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
                  • “He’s been keeping at<\/strong> the same project for three years without results.” \uff08\u4ed6\u5df2\u7d93\u5805\u6301\u505a\u540c\u4e00\u500b\u9805\u76ee\u4e09\u5e74\u4e86\uff0c\u4f46\u9084\u6c92\u6709\u7d50\u679c\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
                  • “If you keep at<\/strong> pronunciation practice, it does get easier.” \uff08\u5982\u679c\u4f60\u6301\u7e8c\u7df4\u7fd2\u767c\u97f3\uff0c\u5b83\u78ba\u5be6\u6703\u8b8a\u5f97\u66f4\u5bb9\u6613\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    “Keep at it” is one of those fixed encouragement phrases that English teachers and coaches use constantly. It’s warmer than “don’t give up” and more specific than “try harder” \u2014 it acknowledges current effort and asks for its continuation.<\/p>\n

                    10. Keep Up With | \u8ddf\u4e0a\uff08\u9032\u5c55\u6216\u8b8a\u5316\uff09<\/h2>\n

                    “Keep up with” is the expanded form of “keep up” \u2014 and it functions slightly differently. Where “keep up” focuses on pace, “keep up with” focuses on tracking something that’s constantly changing: trends, news, technology, a person’s output.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • “It’s hard to keep up with<\/strong> all the new AI tools coming out.” \uff08\u5f88\u96e3\u8ddf\u4e0a\u6240\u6709\u65b0\u51fa\u73fe\u7684AI\u5de5\u5177\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
                    • “She reads the news every morning to keep up with<\/strong> current events.” \uff08\u5979\u6bcf\u5929\u65e9\u4e0a\u95b1\u8b80\u65b0\u805e\uff0c\u4ee5\u638c\u63e1\u6642\u4e8b\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n
                    • “I can’t keep up with<\/strong> the amount of work coming in.” \uff08\u6211\u7121\u6cd5\u8ddf\u4e0a\u6e67\u9032\u4f86\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\u91cf\u3002\uff09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      “Keeping up with the Joneses” is a famous English idiom built on this phrasal verb \u2014 it means competing with your neighbours’ lifestyle and status. Whether it’s the Joneses, AI trends, or your workload, the challenge is the same: change moves faster than you do.<\/p>\n

                      Watch and Practice | \u5f71\u7247\u7df4\u7fd2 KEEP \u52d5\u8a5e\u7247\u8a9e<\/h2>\n

                      Hearing these phrasal verbs in real conversational speech accelerates retention significantly. This lesson from a dedicated English teacher covers the most essential KEEP phrasal verbs with authentic examples:<\/p>\n

                      \n