[Mastering English Expressions with 'Keep']-[Speak Better English with Harry | Episode 556]

Speak Better English with Harry · B1 · 2025-10-08

📋 Summary

Exploring the Versatility of 'Keep' in English

In this episode, Harry provides a comprehensive guide to various English expressions centered around the verb "to keep," which fundamentally means "to hold on to." These idioms and phrases are essential for both conversational and professional fluency.

Establishing Boundaries and Presence

To keep at arm's length: This expression is used to maintain a physical or emotional distance. Harry explains that it implies you do not want to become too intimate with someone, such as colleagues you enjoy working with but do not wish to socialize with outside of office hours. It is about protecting your private space.
To keep a low profile: This refers to avoiding attention or staying out of the way. It is often used by individuals who want to avoid scrutiny, such as celebrities dealing with scandals, or people who prefer not to have their personal business examined by others.

Managing Mental States and Productivity

To keep awake: Used when one struggles to stay alert, whether during a boring presentation or while waiting for children to return home safely at night.
To keep busy: Harry suggests that when times are difficult, staying "occupied" with tasks like housework or administration helps the days pass more quickly, preventing one from dwelling on negative thoughts.
To keep calm: A crucial state during a crisis. By practicing deep breaths or yoga, one can maintain a "clear head" to make rational decisions instead of panicking.
Keep your shirt on: An idiomatic way to tell someone to "calm down" when they are becoming overly excited, uptight, or angry.

Communication and Information Management

To be kept informed: This implies being updated on ongoing situations, such as government ministers keeping a prime minister updated or staying aware of progress in a business deal.
To keep a secret: Entrusting someone with private details with the expectation that they will not share them with others.
Keep shut / Keep your mouth shut: A direct way to demand silence. It is often used when one has made a mistake and does not want to be reminded of it, or when maintaining the confidentiality of a secret.

Navigating Expectations

To be kept waiting: This describes the frustrating experience of having an appointment—like a doctor's visit or a job interview—but being forced to wait past the scheduled time. Harry notes that being "kept waiting" implies you have no control over the timeline and must simply endure the delay.

By incorporating these phrases into your vocabulary, you can better navigate various social and professional interactions, ensuring you are always in the "best position possible" when communicating in English.

🎯Key Sentences

I don't really want to socialize with them.

I prefer to keep myself to myself

we all have problems keeping awake at times.

you feel your head nodding

as a mother you can't rest easy until you hear the key in the door

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📝Key Phrases

keep at arm's length

keep awake

keep busy

keep calm

be kept informed

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📖 Transcript

Hi there, this is Harry and welcome to our podcast, where I try to help you to understand and use English language in a better way.

So I'll help you with grammar expressions idioms, both conversational and business English, to put you in the best position possible.

So what do I have for you in this particular podcast?

In this particular podcast, we're going to take a look at expressions with the word keep.

To keep means to hold on to.

So I will keep that means I will hold on to that.

Or study on the web version →