keeping

(Have you) been keeping busy? and (Have you been) keeping busy?; You been keeping busy?

Inf. a vague greeting asking about how someone has been occupied. Tom: Been keeping busy? Bill: Yeah. Too busy. Sue: Hi, Fred. Have you been keeping busy? Fred: Not really. Just doing what I have to.

See also: been

(Have you) been keeping cool? and (Have you been) keeping cool?; You been keeping cool?

Inf. an inquiry about how someone is surviving very hot weather. Tom: What do you think of this hot weather? Been keeping cool? Sue: No, I like this weather just as it is. Mary: Keeping cool? Bill: Yup. Run the air-conditioning all the time.

See also: been

(Have you) been keeping out of trouble? and (Have you been) keeping out of trouble?; You been keeping out of trouble?

Inf. a vague greeting asking one what one has been doing. Bob: Hi, Mary. Have you been keeping out of trouble? Mary: Yeah. And you? Bob: Oh, I'm getting by. Tom: Hey, man! Been keeping out of trouble? Bob: Hell, no! What are you up to? Tom: Nothing.

See also: been, out

(I've) been keeping cool. and (I've been) keeping cool.

Inf. an answer to a question about what one has been doing during very hot weather. Jane: How do you like this hot weather? Bill: I've been keeping cool. Mary: Been keeping cool? Bob: Yeah. Been keeping cool.

See also: been, cool

(I've) been keeping myself busy. and (I've been) keeping myself busy.

a standard response to a greeting inquiry asking what one has been doing. Bill: What have you been doing? Bob: I've been keeping myself busy. What about you? Bill: About the same. John: Yo! What have you been up to? Bill: Been keeping myself busy.

See also: been, busy, myself

(I've) been keeping out of trouble. and (I've been) keeping out of trouble.

Fig. a standard response to a greeting inquiry that asks what one has been doing. John: What have you been doing, Fred? Fred: Been keeping out of trouble. John: Yeah. Me too. Mary: How are things, Tom? Tom: Oh, I've been keeping out of trouble.

See also: been, out, trouble

in keeping (with something) and in line with something

in accord or harmony with something; following the rules of something. In keeping with your instructions, I've canceled your order. I'm disappointed with your behavior. It really wasn't in line with what it should be.

keep on keeping on

Inf. keep trying; keep doing what you are doing. I do my best. I just keep on keeping on.

See also: keep

out of keeping (with something)

[of something said or some behavior] failing to fit in with something. This kind of thing is completely out of keeping with our standards of behavior. That is quite out of keeping with your statement of yesterday.

See also: out

What's keeping someone?

What is delaying someone? (The someone is replaced by a person's name or a pronoun.) Bob: Wasn't Mary supposed to be here? Bill: I thought so. Bob: Well, what's keeping her? Bill: How should I know? Bill: I've been waiting here for an hour for Sally. Sue: What's keeping her?

Where (have) you been keeping yourself? and Where (have) you been hiding (yourself)?

Inf. I haven't seen you for a long time. Where have you been? Bill: Hi, Alice! Where you been keeping yourself ? Alice: Oh, I've been around. How are you doing? Bill: Okay. John: What's up? Bill: Hi. man. Where you been keeping yourself? John: Oh, I've been busy.

See also: been

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in keeping with something

in a way that is suitable or right for a particular situation, style, or tradition In keeping with tradition, we always have turkey on Christmas Day. Her millionaire lifestyle is very much in keeping with her celebrity status.

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in keeping with something (slightly formal)

1. because of something There will be no flowers at the funeral, in keeping with the family's wishes.

2. suited to something The new windows are in keeping with the colonial style of the house.