1 A2 neutral
(School context) To make a student stay inside, usually as a punishment, instead of going outside.
"The teacher kept three students in at lunchtime for not finishing their homework."
separable
keep in
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To prevent someone from leaving, to retain something, or to maintain contact with someone.
In plain English
To stop someone from going out, or to not lose touch with someone.
What does "keep in" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To maintain a fire or flame so it does not go out.
"Put another log on to keep the fire in overnight."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(British English) To maintain a friendly or positive relationship with someone.
"She made sure to keep in with her manager, knowing it would help her career."
inseparable
4 A2 informal
To stay indoors rather than going out.
"With the storm getting worse, they decided to keep in for the rest of the evening."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cause something or someone to remain inside.
Actually means
To stop someone from going out, or to not lose touch with someone.
Usage tip
Has several distinct uses: (1) school context — a teacher keeps a pupil in (detention); (2) fire — to keep a fire burning so it doesn't go out; (3) British English 'keep in' with someone means to maintain a friendly relationship with them; (4) to retain something inside.
Words that pair with "keep in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pupil student fire contact touch stomach breath
How to conjugate "keep in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
keep in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps in
he/she/it
Past simple
kept in
yesterday
Past participle
kept in
have + pp
-ing form
keeping in
continuous
Hear "keep in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "keep in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "keep in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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