Fluent English: 30 Common Collocations with Keep You Need to Know

Learning English collocations can significantly improve your fluency and make your speech sound more natural. A collocation is a combination of words that are often used together. In this blog post, we’ll explore 30 common collocations with the verb “keep,” a versatile word that plays a crucial role in everyday communication. By the end of this article, you will be equipped with useful phrases to enhance your English skills.

What Are Collocations?

Collocations are pairs or groups of words that habitually appear together. They sound “right” to native speakers and using them correctly can make your English sound more fluent and natural. For example, native speakers say “make a decision,” not “do a decision.

Why Learn Collocations with “Keep”?

The verb “keep” is incredibly versatile, appearing in various contexts and combinations. Whether you’re speaking or writing, knowing how to use “keep” with different words can help you express ideas more clearly and effectively. This knowledge is especially useful for English language learners aiming to sound more natural and for professionals who wish to communicate more precisely.

Below, we’ll delve into 30 common collocations with “keep,” providing definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and examples for each.

30 Common Collocations with Keep You Need to Know

#1. Keep a secret 🤫

Definition: To not tell anyone a piece of information that is meant to be private.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ˈsiːkrət/

Examples:

• She promised to keep a secret about his surprise party.
• Can you keep a secret? I have some exciting news.

#2. Keep an eye on 👀

Definition: To watch or monitor someone or something carefully.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ən aɪ ɒn/

Examples:

• Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
• Parents often keep an eye on their children when playing outside.

#3. Keep in touch 📞

Definition: To maintain communication with someone.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ɪn tʌtʃ/

Examples:

• Let’s keep in touch after graduation.
• I try to keep in touch with my friends from high school.

#4. Keep calm 🧘

Definition: To stay relaxed and not become anxious or excited.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp kɑːm/

Examples:

• It’s important to keep calm during an emergency.
• She always keeps calm under pressure.

#5. Keep track of 📊

Definition: To monitor or follow the progress of something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp træk ɒv/

Examples:

• It’s difficult to keep track of all the changes in technology.
• He keeps track of his expenses in a spreadsheet.

#6. Keep a promise 🤝

Definition: To do what one has agreed to do.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ˈprɒmɪs/

Examples:

• He always keeps his promises.
• It’s important to keep a promise to build trust.

#7. Keep a diary 📔

Definition: To regularly write down personal thoughts and experiences.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ˈdaɪəri/

Examples:

• She has kept a diary since she was a teenager.
• Keeping a diary helps him organize his thoughts.

#8. Keep in mind 🧠

Definition: To remember or consider something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ɪn maɪnd/

Examples:

• Keep in mind that we need to finish the project by Friday.
• Please keep in mind the weather conditions when planning the event.

#9. Keep fit 🏃

Definition: To stay in good physical condition.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp fɪt/

Examples:

• She keeps fit by jogging every morning.
• Eating healthy is essential to keep fit.

#10. Keep your word 💬

Definition: To do what one has promised.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp jɔː wɜːd/

Examples:

• He always keeps his word.
• Keeping your word is crucial for maintaining trust.

#11. Keep a low profile 👤

Definition: To avoid attracting attention to oneself.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ləʊ ˈprəʊfaɪl/

Examples:

• The celebrity tried to keep a low profile during her visit.
• He prefers to keep a low profile at social events.

#12. Keep a distance 🛑

Definition: To maintain a physical or emotional separation.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ˈdɪstəns/

Examples:

• They were advised to keep a distance from the wild animals.
• He kept a distance from his coworkers to avoid conflicts.

#13. Keep house 🏡

Definition: To manage a household.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp haʊs/

Examples:

• She keeps house for her elderly parents.
• Keeping house involves a lot of chores.

#14. Keep a straight face 😐

Definition: To not show any emotion, especially when something is funny.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə streɪt feɪs/

Examples:

• It was hard to keep a straight face during the prank.
• He kept a straight face while telling the joke.

#15. Keep score 📋

Definition: To record the points in a game or competition.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp skɔː/

Examples:

• She kept score during the basketball game.
• He enjoys keeping score in trivia games.

#16. Keep a lookout 👀

Definition: To watch carefully for something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə ˈlʊkaʊt/

Examples:

• Keep a lookout for any suspicious activity.
• He kept a lookout for his friends at the crowded concert.

#17. Keep the change 💰

Definition: To not return the remaining amount of money after a purchase.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ðə tʃeɪndʒ/

Examples:

• She told the taxi driver to keep the change.
• “Keep the change,” he said, after paying for the coffee.

#18. Keep quiet 🤐

Definition: To stay silent or make no noise.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ˈkwaɪət/

Examples:

• The teacher asked the students to keep quiet during the test.
• Please keep quiet while others are speaking.

#19. Keep warm 🧣

Definition: To stay warm or make someone warm.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp wɔːm/

Examples:

• She wore a jacket to keep warm in the cold weather.
• They built a fire to keep warm during the camping trip.

#20. Keep company 👫

Definition: To spend time with someone so that they are not alone.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ˈkʌmpəni/

Examples:

• She kept him company while he waited.
• He keeps company with interesting people.

#21. Keep pace 🏃‍♂️

Definition: To move or progress at the same speed as someone or something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp peɪs/

Examples:

• He struggled to keep pace with the runners.
• They need to keep pace with the market trends.

#22. Keep in step 🚶‍♀️

Definition: To walk or move in synchronization with someone.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ɪn stɛp/

Examples:

• They kept in step during the march.
• He always keeps in step with his dance partner.

#23. Keep faith ☪️

Definition: To continue to believe in or trust something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp feɪθ/

Examples:

• They kept faith despite the challenges.
• It’s important to keep faith in difficult times.

#24. Keep a lid on 🔒

Definition: To control or restrain something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ə lɪd ɒn/

Examples:

• They managed to keep a lid on the situation.
• She struggled to keep a lid on her emotions.

#25. Keep tabs on 📋

Definition: To monitor or track something or someone closely.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp tæbz ɒn/

Examples:

• The manager keeps tabs on the employees’ progress.
• He kept tabs on his investments regularly.

#26. Keep the faith ☪️

Definition: To continue to have faith or confidence in something.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ðə feɪθ/

Examples:

• They encouraged each other to keep the faith.
• He kept the faith despite the difficulties.

#27. Keep your balance 🧘‍♂️

Definition: To remain steady and not fall.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp jɔː ˈbælənss/

Examples:

• She struggled to keep her balance on the tightrope.
• He practiced yoga to keep his balance.

#28. Keep it up 👍

Definition: To continue doing something well.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp ɪt ʌp/

Examples:

• Great job on the project, keep it up!
• You’re doing amazing, keep it up!

#29. Keep cool 😎

Definition: To stay calm and composed.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp kuːl/

Examples:

• He managed to keep cool during the debate.
• Keeping cool under pressure is essential.

#30. Keep your head 💡

Definition: To remain calm and sensible during a crisis.

Phonetic Transcription: /kiːp jɔː hɛd/

Examples:

• She kept her head during the emergency.
• It’s important to keep your head when things go wrong.

Conclusion

Understanding and using collocations with “keep” can significantly enhance your English communication skills. These phrases are commonly used by native speakers and can help you sound more natural and fluent. Whether you are writing an email, having a conversation, or preparing for an exam, these collocations will prove to be invaluable.

Collocations are not just about memorizing phrases; they are about understanding how words work together in context. Practicing these collocations will help you build a richer vocabulary and improve your overall language proficiency. Remember to keep practicing and incorporating these phrases into your daily speech and writing.

By mastering these 30 collocations with “keep,” you are taking a significant step towards becoming more proficient in English. Keep up the good work, and you will see noticeable improvements in your language skills.

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