1 A2 neutral
To not step on or go onto an area.
"The sign on the lawn clearly said 'Keep off the grass'."
inseparable
keep off
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To not step on, touch, or start something; or to prevent rain or other elements from penetrating.
In plain English
To not go on something, not touch it, or to avoid a subject.
What does "keep off" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To avoid a subject or topic in conversation.
"Everyone knew to keep off the subject of his divorce — it was still too painful."
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
To stop consuming or using something habitually.
"The doctor told him to keep off alcohol for at least three months."
inseparable
4 B2 neutral
(Of weather) to not start; to stay away.
"We were lucky — the rain kept off until after the ceremony was over."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To remain not on top of a surface.
Actually means
To not go on something, not touch it, or to avoid a subject.
Usage tip
Very commonly seen on signs ('Keep off the grass'). Also used to mean avoiding a topic of conversation, or stopping consuming something (e.g. alcohol, cigarettes). 'Keep the rain off' means to prevent rain from reaching something.
Words that pair with "keep off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
grass topic subject alcohol cigarettes rain drugs
How to conjugate "keep off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
keep off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps off
he/she/it
Past simple
kept off
yesterday
Past participle
kept off
have + pp
-ing form
keeping off
continuous
Hear "keep off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "keep off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "keep off"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
abstain from avoid not touch stay off steer clear of
Keep exploring
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