구동사 시리즈 #11 – KEEP

📘 Phrasal Verb Series #11 – KEEP
🌿 Thinking in English: The Language of Continuity
“To keep is not to cling —
it is to care, to continue, and to remember.” 🌱
In English, “keep” means more than just ‘to hold’.
It’s about consistency, protection, and persistence —
the quiet strength that sustains.
💫 1️⃣ keep on
To keep on means to continue doing something.
Examples
- She kept on talking even after the bell rang. 🗣️
- Keep on believing — you’re almost there. 🌿
👉 Feel it: “keep on” = steady motion — small steps that never stop.
🌱 2️⃣ keep up (with)
To keep up means to maintain speed or progress; not to fall behind.
Examples
- I can’t keep up with all these messages. 📱
- She’s working hard to keep up her grades.
👉 Feel it: “keep up” = alignment — matching the rhythm of life.
🌿 3️⃣ keep in
To keep in means to restrain or not release something.
Examples
- He tried to keep in his anger. 😤
- The teacher kept the students in after class.
👉 Feel it: “keep in” = containment — emotion under control or energy held back.
🌸 4️⃣ keep out
To keep out means to prevent entry.
Examples
- Please keep out of the lab. ⚠️
- The fence keeps out wild animals. 🐾
👉 Feel it: “keep out” = creating safe boundaries — for protection, not rejection.
💫 5️⃣ keep away (from)
To keep away means to stay distant for safety or discipline.
Examples
- Keep away from the fire. 🔥
- I’m trying to keep away from negative thoughts. 🌿
👉 Feel it: “keep away” = guarding your peace — healthy distance, not avoidance.
🌾 6️⃣ keep at
To keep at means to persist despite difficulty.
Examples
- Keep at your studies — you’re improving. 📘
- She kept at the piano until she mastered it. 🎹
👉 Feel it: “keep at” = steady persistence — focus that shapes progress.
🌊 7️⃣ keep to
To keep to means to follow or stick to something (a plan, rule, path).
Examples
- Let’s keep to the schedule. ⏰
- He always keeps to his promises. 🤝
👉 Feel it: “keep to” = integrity — staying true to your word or route.
🌻 8️⃣ keep from
To keep from means to prevent or hold oneself back.
Examples
- I couldn’t keep from laughing. 😂
- She tried to keep him from leaving.
👉 Feel it: “keep from” = gentle restraint — the effort to hold emotion or action.
🌼 9️⃣ keep up with
To keep up with means to maintain connection or awareness.
Examples
- It’s hard to keep up with technology. 💻
- I try to keep up with my old friends. 👭
👉 Feel it: “keep up with” = continuity of relationship or knowledge.
🌷 10️⃣ keep going
To keep going means to continue despite fatigue or difficulty.
Examples
- When life gets hard, keep going. 💫
- You’re stronger than you think — keep going. 🌿
👉 Feel it: “keep going” = inner resilience — motion from the heart, not the world.
🌿 Essence of KEEP
| Persistence | keep on / keep going / keep at | 지속, 인내 |
| Protection | keep in / keep out / keep away | 경계, 보존 |
| Integrity | keep to / keep up with | 성실, 일관성 |
| Restraint | keep from | 절제, 자제 |
🌸 Closing Thought
“To keep is to hold gently —
not by force, but by faith.” 🌿
To “keep” is to respect time,
to believe that what matters will remain —
because consistency itself is a form of love. 💫

© MisoEnglish / Michelle Kim. 이 글은 제가 직접 작성한 오리지널 콘텐츠입니다. 전체 복제나 무단 재게시를 금하며, 일부 인용 시에는 반드시 출처(MisoEnglish)와 링크를 남겨 주세요.