Compound Forms:
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have your ear to the ground,
keep your ear to the ground v expr | figurative (be well-informed) (informal) | tener los oídos abiertos loc verb |
hold your peace,
keep your peace v expr | (stay silent) | quedarse callado v prnl + adj |
| | (informal) | mantener la boca cerrada loc verb |
| keep a check on [sth/sb] v expr | informal (monitor) | vigilar⇒ vtr |
| | | observar⇒ vtr |
| | | chequear⇒ vtr |
| | | controlar⇒ vtr |
| | I'm keeping a check on his work to ensure that he's doing it right. |
| | Estoy vigilando su trabajo para asegurarme de que lo está haciendo correctamente. |
| keep a check on [sth/sb] v expr | US, informal (control, restrain, limit) | mantener controlado loc verb |
| | | controlar⇒ vtr |
| | | limitar⇒ vtr |
| | They expect increased oil production to keep a check on gasoline prices. |
| keep a close watch on [sb/sth] v expr | (monitor [sth], [sb] attentively) | vigilar a vtr + prep |
| | Parents of teenagers have to keep a close watch on everything they do. |
| keep a leg up v expr | figurative, informal (stay ahead) | mantenerse al frente loc verb |
| keep a low profile v expr | (be inconspicuous) | mantener un perfil bajo loc verb |
| | | mantener una actitud discreta loc verb |
| | After the argument I kept a low profile for a few days. |
| | Spies tend to keep a low profile to avoid attention. |
| | Tras la pelea, mantuve un perfil bajo por unos días. // Los espías suelen mantener un perfil bajo para no llamar la atención. |
| keep a promise v expr | (fulfil one's word) | cumplir una promesa loc verb |
| | Do you keep your promises? he asked her, after she vowed not to do it again. |
| | —¿Cumples tus promesas? —le preguntó después de que le prometiera que no lo volvería a hacer más. |
| keep a stiff upper lip v expr | figurative (remain stoic) | mantener la postura, mantener el temple loc verb |
| | | permanecer tranquilo vi + adj |
| keep a straight face v expr | informal (look serious, avoid smiling) | poner la cara seria vtr |
| | I couldn't keep a straight face when she said she was a virgin. It was difficult to keep a straight face when I played that prank on my coworkers. |
| | No pude poner la cara seria cuando dijo que era virgen. |
| | | mantener la seriedad vtr |
| | No pude mantener la seriedad cuando dijo que era virgen. |
| | | poner cara de póquer loc verb |
| | No pude poner cara de póquer cuando dijo que era virgen |
| keep a tight rein on [sb/sth] v expr | (control [sb/sth]) (coloquial) | tener corto a loc verb |
keep abreast of [sth],
stay abreast of [sth] v expr | figurative (stay informed, updated) | mantenerse actualizado loc verb |
| | They read three newspapers daily to keep abreast of the news. |
| keep accounts vi | (retain financial records) | llevar contabilidad vtr |
| | All small businesses have to keep accounts for tax purposes. |
| | Todos los pequeños negocios deben llevar la contabilidad con fines fiscales. |
| | | llevar un control vtr |
| | Todos los pequeños negocios deben llevar un control de sus impuestos con fines impositivos. |
keep afloat,
stay afloat vi + adj | (not sink) | mantenerse a flote v prnl + loc adv |
| | | flotar⇒ vi |
| | Julia managed to keep afloat by clinging to a log. |
| | Julia pudo mantenerse a flote agarrándose de un tronco. |
keep afloat,
stay afloat vi + adj | figurative (stay in business) (figurado) | mantenerse a flote v prnl + loc adv |
| | Business owners are struggling to keep afloat. |
| | Los dueños de comercios luchan por mantenerse a flote. |
| keep [sth/sb] afloat vtr + adj | (prevent from sinking) | mantener a flote vtr + loc adv |
| | (informal) | no dejar hundir loc verb |
| | A life jacket will keep you afloat, even if you are unconscious. |
| | Un chaleco salvavidas te mantiene a flote incluso si estás inconsciente. |
| keep [sth/sb] afloat vtr + adj | figurative (business: keep running) (figurado) | mantener a flote vtr + loc adv |
| | Wilkins had to take out a large loan to keep the business afloat. |
| | Wilkins tuvo que sacar un gran préstamo para mantener a flote su negocio. |
| keep ahead vi + adv | literal (go in front) (literal) | anticiparse⇒ v prnl |
| keep [sth] alive vtr + adj | figurative (maintain awareness or popularity of [sth]) | mantener candente vtr + adj |
| | (figurado) | mantener vivo vtr + adj |
| | The local press is doing its best to keep the issue alive. |
| | La prensa local está haciendo su mejor esfuerzo para mantener candente el tema. |
| keep [sb] alive vtr + adj | figurative (be of great importance) (a alguien, figurado) | mantener vivo vtr + adj |
| | Poetry kept him alive during his incarceration. His interest in the lives of his grandchildren keeps him alive. |
| | La poesía lo mantuvo vivo mientras estuvo en la cárcel. |
| keep [sb] alive vtr + adj | (prolong [sb]'s life artificially) (a alguien) | mantener vivo vtr + adj |
| | The life support system in the ambulance kept him alive until he reached the hospital. |
| | It's only an artificial heart and other machines that are keeping him alive. |
| keep an eye on [sth/sb] v expr | informal (watch carefully) | echar un ojo loc verb |
| | | vigilar⇒ vtr |
| | | cuidar⇒ vtr |
| | | mirar⇒ vtr |
| | When cooking soufflés, you need to keep an eye on them so they don't fall. |
| | Cuando cocinas suflé, tienes que echarles un ojo para que no se te desinflen. |
| keep an eye out for [sth/sb] vtr | informal (remain vigilant for) | estar alerta loc verb |
| | | estar pendiente loc verb |
| | | estar atento loc verb |
| | | mantenerse alerta loc verb |
| | It's important to keep an eye out for dangerous snakes in the bush. Keep an eye out for a parking spot. |
| | Es importante estar alerta por si hay serpientes peligrosas escondidas dentro del arbusto. |
| | Estate pendiente por si hay alguna plaza de aparcamiento libre. |
| keep an open mind v expr | (be willing to consider new ideas) | tener la mente abierta loc verb |
| keep [sb] at a distance v expr | (not be friendly) | tratar con frialdad vtr + loc adv |
| keep [sb/sth] at arm's length v expr | figurative (stay a safe distance from) | mantener lejos a loc verb |
| | | mantener distancia con loc verb |
| keep [sth/sb] at bay v expr | figurative (prevent getting closer) (informal) | mantener a raya vtr + loc adv |
| | Vaccination is the most effective way to keep the flu at bay. |
| | La vacunación es la forma más efectiva de mantener a raya la gripe. |
| keep [sb] awake vtr + adj | (prevent from sleeping) | desvelar a vtr + prep |
| | | quitarle el sueño a loc verb + prep |
| | | mantener despierto a loc verb + prep |
| | Drinking coffee at night keeps me awake. The monster movie was so scary that it kept the children awake all night. |
| | Tomar café por la noche me desvela. |
| | La película de monstruos era tan aterradora que les quitó el sueño a los niños toda la noche. |
| keep awake v expr | (refrain from sleeping) | evitar dormirse loc verb |
| | | mantenerse despierto v prnl + adj |
| | The party was so boring that I had to struggle to keep awake. I could hardly keep awake during that boring lecture. |
| | La fiesta era tan aburrida que tuve que luchar para evitar dormirme. |
| | Apenas pude mantenerme despierta en esa aburrida conferencia. |
| keep away vi + adv | (stay at a distance) | mantenerse alejado, mantenerse lejos loc verb |
| | | mantenerse a distancia loc verb |
| | Stephanie has measles, so If you don't want to catch it, keep away. |
| | Stephanie tiene sarampión, si no quieres contagiarte, mejor mantenerse alejado. |
| keep away from [sth/sb] v expr | (stay at a distance from) | no acercarse a loc verb + prep |
| | | mantenerse lejos de loc verb + prep |
| | | mantenerse alejado de loc verb + prep |
| | I keep away from people who are ill. |
| | No me acerco a gente que está enferma. |
| keep [sth/sb] away vtr + adv | (prevent from getting closer) | mantener alejado, mantener lejos vtr + adj |
| | | no dejar acercar vtr + adv |
| | | mantener alejado a, mantener lejos a vtr + adj |
| | | no dejar acercarse a vtr + adv |
| | There are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away. |
| | Hay muchas cosas que puedes hacer para mantener alejados los mosquitos. |
| keep back vi | (stay at distance) | no acercarse v prnl + adv |
| | | mantenerse lejos v prnl + adv |
| | | permanecer alejado vi + adj |
| | (formal) | mantenerse a distancia v prnl + loc adv |
| | A notice outside the monkeys' cage warns visitors to keep back. |
| | Una nota en la jaula de los monos le avisa a los visitantes que no se acerquen. |
| keep body and soul together v expr | (support yourself, maintain life) | sobrevivir⇒ vi |
| | | mantenerse⇒ v prnl |
| keep busy vi | informal (occupy oneself, find [sth] to do) | mantenerse ocupado v prnl + adj |
| | Since my daughter left for college, I keep busy by working in my garden. With the district manager in the store, everyone kept busy all day. |
| | Desde que mi hija se fue a la universidad, me mantengo ocupado trabajando en mi jardín. |
| | | mantenerse entretenido v prnl + adj |
| | Desde que mi hija se fue a la universidad, me mantengo entretenido trabajando en mi jardín. |
| keep calm vi | (remain composed) | mantener la calma loc verb |
| | | mantenerse calmado, mantenerse tranquilo v prnl + adj |
| | He will try to make you angry but you must keep calm. Everyone, please keep calm until the police arrive! |
| | Va a tratar de hacerte enojar, pero debes mantener la calma. ¡Mantengan todos la calma hasta que llegue la policía! |
| keep clear vi + adj | (not go near) | no acercarse loc verb |
| | | no obstruir loc verb |
| keep clear of [sth/sb] v expr | (not go near) | no acercarse a loc verb |
| keep clear expr | written (on sign: stay at a distance) | no acercarse expr |
| | | no obstruir expr |
| keep clear of [sth/sb] v expr | figurative, informal (avoid) | mantenerse alejado de lov verb |
| | Manténganse alejados del borde, podrían caerse. |
| | | guardar distancia de loc verb |
| | | evitar acercarse loc verb |
| | Guarden distancia del fuego, pueden saltar chispas. |
| keep [sb/sth] close vtr + adj | (keep nearby) | tener cerca vtr + adv |
| | | mantener cerca vtr + adv |
| | Claire decided to work from home so that she could keep her children close. |
| | Claire decidió trabajar desde casa para tener cerca a sus hijos. |
| keep close vi + adj | (stay near) | mantenerse cerca v prnl + adv |
| | | quedarse cerca v prnl + adv |
| | | no alejarse loc verb |
| | Tina told the twins to keep close as they crossed the busy road. |
| | Tina les dijo a los gemelos que se mantuvieran cerca mientras cruzaban la calle. |
| keep close to [sb/sth] v expr | (stay near) | mantenerse cerca de loc verb |
| | | quedarse cerca de loc verb |
| | | no alejarse de loc verb |
| | Keep close to me when we're at the concert; I don't want you to get lost. |
| | Mantente cerca de mí cuando estemos en el concierto. ¡No quiero que te pierdas! |
| keep coming v expr | informal (be relentless) | no parar loc verb |
| | | no detenerse loc verb |
| | The battle continued and the attacks kept coming. |
| | La batalla continuó y los ataques no paraban. |
| keep [sth] coming v expr | (generate lots) (con gerundio) | seguir⇒ vi |
| | (informal; con infinitivo) | no dejar de loc verb + prep |
| | (con nombre) | no interrumpir loc verb |
| | Please keep the donations coming. |
| | Por favor sigan donando. |
| | Por favor no interrumpan las donaciones. |
| keep [sb] company vtr + n | (prevent being lonely) | hacerle compañía a loc verb |
| | | acompañar a vtr + prep |
| | Brian has his dog to keep him company. |
| | Brian tiene un perro para hacerle compañía. |
| keep company v expr | dated (lovers: court) | salir⇒ vi |
| | Mary and Bob were keeping company before she met Jim. |
| keep control v expr | (stay calm and composed) | mantenerse tranquilo loc verb |
| keep control v expr | (retain authority) | retener el poder, retener el control loc verb |
| | Make sure you keep control of the situation, or we'll be in real trouble. |
| keep cool vi + adj | (avoid getting hot) | mantenerse fresco v prnl + adj |
| | William was using a small electric fan to keep cool. |
| | Guillermo usaba un pequeño ventilador para mantenerse fresco. |
| keep cool vi + adj | figurative (remain calm) | mantener la calma loc verb |
| | Just keep cool, and act like you don't know anything. |
| | Mantén la calma y haz como si no supieras nada. |
| keep [sb/sth] cool vtr + adj | (prevent getting hot) | mantenerse fresco v prnl + adj |
| | These plants don't like too much heat, so keep them cool by planting them in a partially shaded spot. |
| | A estas plantas no les gusta el calor, así que mantenlas frescas en un lugar con sombra. |
| keep [sth] cool vtr + adj | (drink, etc.: chill) | mantener frío vtr + adj |
| | | mantener refrigerado vtr + adj |
| | Gemma put the wine in the fridge to keep it cool. |
| | Gemma puso el vino en la heladera para mantenerlo frío. |
| | ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Tienes que mantener la carne refrigerada para que no se eche a perder. |
keep count,
keep a tally v expr | (note how many) | llevar la cuenta loc verb |
keep count of [sth],
keep a tally of [sth] v expr | (note how many of [sth]) | llevar la cuenta de algo loc verb + prep |
| | | contar algo vtr |
| keep [sb] dangling v expr | figurative, informal (force to wait in uncertainty) | tener en vilo a alguien loc verb + prep |
| | | dejar esperando a alguien loc verb + prep |
| keep [sth] dark vtr + adj | figurative (conceal) | encubrir⇒ vtr |
| | | ocultar⇒ vtr |
| keep driving vi | (drive straight ahead) | seguir manejando loc verb |
| | When you see a hitchhiker, do you stop to pick him up or just keep driving? |
| | Cuando ves a alguien haciendo autostop, ¿paras y lo invitas a subir o sigues manejando? |
| | | pasar de largo loc verb |
| Note: En España no volveríamos a hacer referencia el verbo conducir en esta frase. |
| | ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Pararás a recogerlo o pasarás de largo. |
| | | continuar conduciendo loc verb |
| | ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Le viste y continuaste conduciendo como si no te hubieses dado cuenta. |
| keep fit vi | (do physical exercise) | mantenerse en forma loc verb |
| | I like to keep fit by doing belly dance. |
| | Me gusta mantenerme en forma haciendo danza del vientre. |
| keep [sth] fresh vtr + adj | (food: stop going stale) | conservar⇒ vtr |
| | | mantener fresco vtr + adj |
| | Packaging needs to keep the food fresh for as long as possible. |
| | El envase debe conservar la comida lo más posible. |
| keep fresh vi + adj | informal (food: not go stale) | conservarse⇒ v prnl |
| | (informal) | durar⇒ vi |
| | | mantenerse fresco v prnl + adj |
| | Bananas will keep fresh in the freezer for up to three months. |
| | Las bananas se conservan en el freezer hasta tres meses. |
| keep from doing [sth] vi + prep | (refrain) | abstenerse de v prnl + prep |
| | (coloquial) | mantenerse alejado de loc verb + prep |
| | I can't keep from eating ice cream. |
| | No puedo abstenerme de comer helado. |
| | ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. El médico le recomendó que se mantuviera alejada del azúcar. |
| keep [sb/sth] from doing [sth] vtr + prep | (prevent) | no dejar que loc verb |
| | | evitar que vtr |
| | | no permitir que loc verb |
| | The constant interruptions were keeping Alvin from doing his work. |
| | Las constantes interrupciones no dejaban que Alvin terminar su tarea. |
| keep [sb/sth] from [sb/sth] vtr + prep | (keep apart) | alejar a alguien de loc verb |
| | Dave's ex tries to keep him from his son. |
| | La ex de Dave quiere alejarlo de su hijo. |
| keep [sb/sth] from harm v expr | (protect) | proteger⇒ vtr |
| | | mantener a salvo loc verb |
| | Victor was ready to risk his life to keep his daughter from harm. |
| keep from laughing v expr | (not laugh) | aguantar la risa loc verb |
| | During that horrible performance, I could hardly keep from laughing. |
| | ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Ya sé que casi se mata, pero no podía aguantar la risa. |
| keep going v expr | (persist, continue) | no detenerse, no parar loc verb |
| | | continuar⇒, seguir⇒ vi |
| | | seguir adelante vi + adv |
| | Keep going, you're almost to the top of the hill. |
| | No te detengas (or: no pares): ya queda poco para llegar a la cima. |
| keep guard vtr + n | (watch, look out) | vigilar⇒ vtr |
| keep hold of [sth/sb] v expr | informal (maintain one's grasp on) | sujetar⇒ vtr |
| | | agarrar⇒ vtr |
| | (informal) | tener firme vtr + adv |
| | (formal) | asir⇒ vtr |
| | The child kept hold of his mother's hand as they crossed the road. |
| | El niño sujetaba la mano de su madre mientras cruzaban la calle. |
| | | sostener⇒ vtr |
| keep hoping v expr | (remain optimistic) | mantener las esperanzas, mantener la esperanza loc verb |
| | | no perder las esperanzas, no perder la esperanza loc verb |
| | | seguir esperando loc verb |
| | We don't know if or when she'll come home. All we can do is keep hoping. |
| | No sabemos si volverá a casa. Todo lo que podemos hacer es mantener las esperanzas. |
keep hoping,
keep hoping that v expr | (remain optimistic, wishful) | seguir esperando que loc verb |
| | | no perder las esperanzas de que, no perder la esperanza de que loc verb |
| | | mantener las esperanzas de que, mantener la esperanza de que loc verb |
| | I keep hoping he'll notice me. |
| | Sigo esperando que se fije en mí. |
| keep hoping for [sth] v expr | (wish for) | seguir esperando loc verb |
| | | tener esperanza en loc verb + prep |
| | He is gravely ill, but his family keep hoping for a miracle. |
| | Está muy enfermo, pero su familia sigue esperando por un milagro. |
| keep house vtr + n | (do housework) | hacer las tareas del hogar⇒ vtr |
| | While she was sick, her sister kept house for her. |
| | Mientras estuvo enferma, su hermana le hizo las tareas del hogar. |
| keep house vtr + n | figurative (maintain accounts) | llevar las cuentas loc verb |
| | Since Brett kept house for the company, he was the first suspected of wrongdoing when the company was accused of fraud. |
| | Como Brett lleva las cuentas de la empresa, fue el primer sospechoso cuando acusaron a la empresa de fraude. |
| keep [sth] in check v expr | (control) | mantener controlado loc verb |
| | The European Central Bank has kept inflation in check. |
| | | mantener bajo control loc verb |
| | El Banco Central Europeo ha mantenido la inflación bajo control. |
keep in contact,
stay in contact v expr | (stay in touch) | mantenerse en contacto loc verb |
| | | seguir en contacto loc verb |
| | My uncle and I stayed in contact after he moved to Australia. |
| | Mi tío y yo nos mantuvimos en contacto después de que se mudara a Australia. |
keep in contact with [sb],
stay in contact with [sb] v expr | (stay in touch with [sb]) | mantenerse en contacto loc verb |
| | New technologies make it easy to keep in contact with your customers. |
| | I'm sorry you have to leave but please keep in contact. |
| | Gracias a las nuevas tecnologías ahora es más fácil mantenerse en contacto con tus clientes. |
| keep [sb/sth] in line v expr | (control, make conform) | mantener a raya loc verb |
| keep [sth] in line with [sth] v expr | (make conform) | mantener en línea con vtr + loc prep |
keep [sth] in mind,
bear [sth] in mind,
keep in mind that,
bear in mind that v expr | (remember [sth]) | no olvidar loc verb |
| | | recordar⇒ vtr |
| | | tener en cuenta vtr + loc adv |
| | | tener presente vtr + adj mf |
| | Now, keep in mind that in May of 1929 the stock market hadn't crashed yet. |
| | No olvidemos que en mayo de 1929 la bolsa aún no se había colapsado. |
keep [sb] in mind,
bear [sb] in mind v expr | (consider [sb] for [sth]) | tener en cuenta a loc verb |
| | | tener presente a loc verb |
| | If you ever need a cleaner, keep me in mind. |
| | Si alguna vez necesitas alguien para limpiar, puedes tenerme en cuenta. |