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keep around

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To not throw something away and keep it somewhere nearby, or to keep someone close.

Literal meaning: To keep something in the surrounding area.

Meanings

1 A2 informal

To keep an object somewhere accessible without a specific purpose, just in case it is needed.

"I always keep a spare set of batteries around — you never know when you'll need them."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To maintain a person's presence in your life or on your team, often for practical reasons.

"She's not the most productive employee, but the boss keeps her around because she knows the clients well."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Informal and versatile. Can apply to objects (keeping something in the house just in case), people (keeping someone in your social circle), or animals. The object typically appears between 'keep' and 'around' or after 'around'.

Commonly used with

spare tools cash people staff copy key

Forms

Base
keep around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps around
he/she/it
Past simple
kept around
yesterday
Past participle
kept around
have + pp
-ing form
keeping around
continuous

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Synonyms

keep handy hold on to hang on to keep on hand retain keep nearby

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