1 A2 neutral
To maintain the same pace as others or as required.
"The younger students walked so fast that the older ones struggled to keep up."
inseparable
keep up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To maintain a pace, standard, level, or quality; or to prevent someone from sleeping.
In plain English
To continue at the same speed or level as others, or to stop someone from sleeping.
What does "keep up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To continue maintaining a standard, effort, or practice.
"You've been doing really well in your studies — keep up the good work."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To prevent someone from sleeping.
"The noise from the party next door kept us up until after midnight."
separable
4 B2 neutral
To maintain regular payments, repairs, or the condition of something.
"It's expensive to keep up a large house — the maintenance costs alone are significant."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To prevent something from falling down.
Actually means
To continue at the same speed or level as others, or to stop someone from sleeping.
Usage tip
Extremely common and versatile. Key senses: (1) maintaining pace; (2) maintaining a standard or habit; (3) preventing sleep; (4) maintaining property. Often used without an object. 'Keep it up' (as encouragement) is a fixed phrase derived from this.
Words that pair with "keep up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pace payments appearances pressure standards morale momentum
How to conjugate "keep up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
keep up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps up
he/she/it
Past simple
kept up
yesterday
Past participle
kept up
have + pp
-ing form
keeping up
continuous
Hear "keep up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "keep up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "keep up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
continue maintain not fall behind persist preserve sustain
Keep exploring
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