keep back

keep (someone, something, or an animal) back (from someone or something)

to make someone, something, or an animal stay in a position away from someone or something. Keep everyone back from the injured lady. Please keep the dogs back from the turtle.

See also: back, keep

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Some are so close and reserved, as they will not show their wares, but by a dark light; and seem always to keep back somewhat; and when they know within themselves, they speak of that they do not well know, would nevertheless seem to others, to know of that which they may not well speak. The Essays by Bacon, Sir Francis View in context Come, thou jolly substance, with thy shining face, keep back thy inspiration, but hold forth thy tempting rewards; thy shining, chinking heap; thy quickly convertible bank-bill, big with unseen riches; thy often-varying stock; the warm, the comfortable house; and, lastly, a fair portion of that bounteous mother, whose flowing breasts yield redundant sustenance for all her numerous offspring, did not some too greedily and wantonly drive their brethren from the teat. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context Miss Christie," said Dick, choking between an intense gratification and a desire to keep back its vulgar exhibition, "I shall be proud Devil's Ford by Harte, Bret View in context	keep a low profile keep a promise keep a secret Keep a stiff upper lip keep a straight face Keep a thing seven years and you'll find a use for it keep a tight rein on keep a weather eye on keep about keep abreast of keep after keep an act up keep an ear out for keep an ear to the ground keep an eye on keep an eye out keep an eye out for keep an open mind keep an/ ear to the ground keep apart keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep away keep back keep banker's hours keep body and soul together keep cards close to chest keep chair keep chin up keep close watch on keep company keep cool keep dark keep distance keep distance (from keep end up keep eye on keep eye on the ball keep eyes open keep eyes peeled keep faith with keep feet on the ground keep finger on the pulse of keep fingers crossed keep fit keep from doing keep going keep good time keep guessing	keep at keep at keep at a distance keep at a distance keep at a distance from keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at someone Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Keep Australia Beautiful Council, Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away from keep back keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep banker's hours keep bed keep bed keep bed keep bed Keep Bedford Beautiful Commission Keep Believing Ministries Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission keep body and soul together Keep Boone County Beautiful keep both feet on the ground keep both feet on the ground keep both feet on the ground keep both feet on the ground Keep Brunswick-Golden Isles Beautiful Keep Buggering On Keep Building Ellis County keep busy Keep Calm and Carry On keep cards close to chest keep cards close to chest keep cards close to chest keep cards close to chest keep cards close to chest keep cards close to vest keep cards close to vest

References in classic literature

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Some are so close and reserved, as they will not show their wares, but by a dark light; and seem always to keep back somewhat; and when they know within themselves, they speak of that they do not well know, would nevertheless seem to others, to know of that which they may not well speak.

The Essays by Bacon, Sir Francis View in context

Come, thou jolly substance, with thy shining face, keep back thy inspiration, but hold forth thy tempting rewards; thy shining, chinking heap; thy quickly convertible bank-bill, big with unseen riches; thy often-varying stock; the warm, the comfortable house; and, lastly, a fair portion of that bounteous mother, whose flowing breasts yield redundant sustenance for all her numerous offspring, did not some too greedily and wantonly drive their brethren from the teat.