keep up[verb]Synonyms: maintain, continue, keep pace, preserve, sustain
[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
keep up phrasal verb (
see also keep)
1. keep something ↔ up to continue doing something:
I don’t think I can keep this up any longer.keep up the good work! (=continue to work hard and well)2. if a situation keeps up, it continues without stopping or changing
Synonym : continue:
How long can the economic boom keep up?3. to go as quickly as someone else
keep up with I had to walk fast to keep up with him.4. to manage to do as much or as well as other people
Antonym : fall behindkeep up with Jack’s having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class.keep up with the Joneses (=try to have the same new impressive possessions that other people have)5. to continue to read and learn about a particular subject, so that you always know about the most recent facts, products etc
keep up with Employees need to keep up with the latest technical developments.6. keep something ↔ up to make something continue at its present level or amount, instead of letting it decrease:
NATO kept up the pressure on the Serbs to get out of Kosovo.7. if one process keeps up with another, it increases at the same speed and by the same amount
keep up with Food production is not keeping up with population growth.8. keep something ↔ up to continue to practise a skill so that you do not lose it:
I used to speak French, but I haven’t kept it up.9. keep somebody up informal to prevent someone from going to bed:
I hope I’m not keeping you up.10. keep your spirits/strength/morale etc up to stay happy, strong, confident etc by making an effort:
We sang as we marched, to keep our spirits up.11. keep up appearances to pretend that everything in your life is normal and happy even though you are in trouble, especially financial trouble
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
keep up v. 1a. To go on; not stop; continue.
The rain kept up for two days and the roads were flooded. Compare: KEEP ON.
1b. To go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop.
Mrs. Smith told John to keep up the good work. The teacher asked Dick to stop bothering Mary, but he kept it up. Compare: KEEP AT.
2a. To go at the same rate as others.
John had to work hard to keep up. Billy was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others. Compare: CATCH UP, KEEP PACE.
Antonym: FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND
1.
2b. To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good condition.
The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up. Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house. 3. To keep informed.
■ Usually used with "on" or "with".
Mary is interested in politics and always keeps up with the news. Compare: KEEP TRACK.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲