keep up

To continue doing something without stopping or doing less.

• Keep up the good work!
• She kept up her daily walks all winter.
• How long can you keep this pace up?

How to use it: keep up something (Keep up the practice, and you will improve.); keep something up (You are doing well; keep it up.)

Similar words: continue, carry on, maintain

Opposites: stop

Common phrases: keep up work, keep up training, keep up practicing

To move or make progress as fast as someone or something else.

• Slow down! I cannot keep up.
• She ran fast, but I kept up with her.
• Can the factory keep up with demand?

How to use it: keep up with someone/something (Walk more slowly so I can keep up with you.)

Similar words: keep pace, stay level

Opposites: fall behind

Common phrases: keep up easily, keep up physically

To keep something in good condition or at the same level.

• We need to keep up standards.
• Regular exercise kept her strength up.
• Can they afford to keep up the house?

How to use it: keep up something (Regular repairs help us keep up the house.); keep something up (They work hard to keep standards up.)

Similar words: maintain, preserve

Common phrases: keep up standards, keep up appearances, keep up morale

To continue learning about the latest news or changes in a subject.

• I read the news to keep up.
• He kept up with developments in medicine.
• How do you keep up with new technology?

How to use it: keep up with something (I read several blogs to keep up with new research.); keep up on something (She listens to podcasts to keep up on politics.)

Similar words: stay informed, stay current

Common phrases: keep up online, keep up daily

To stop someone from sleeping or going to bed.

• The noise kept me up.
• Will this coffee keep you up tonight?
• Their long conversation kept everyone up late.

How to use it: keep someone up (The noisy party kept us up until two.)

Similar words: keep awake

Common phrases: keep up someone, keep up everyone