keep (redirected from kept on at)

A hedge between keeps friendship green.

Prov. Your friendship will flourish if you and your friend respect each other's privacy. Lynne and I are the best of friends, but we often like to spend time apart. A hedge between keeps friendship green.

See also: friendship, green, hedge

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Prov. Apples are so nutritious that if you eat an apple every day, you will not ever need to go to a doctor. Remember to take an apple in your lunch today. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Grandma always fed us lots of apples when we visited her. She believed that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

See also: apple, away, day, doctor

for keeps

forever. Does that mean I'm going to have this scar for keeps? This is yours for keeps. Enjoy it.

man is known by the company he keeps

Prov. A person tends to associate with people who are like him or her. Son, when you go away to school, spend your time with serious people; don't hang around with people who go to parties all the time. A man is known by the company he keeps. If you want to know what kind of person George is, look at his friends. A man is known by the company he keeps.

See also: company, known, man

play for keeps

to do things with permanent effect; to be serious in one's actions. (From the game of marbles, where the winner actually keeps all the marbles won.) Are we playing for keeps or can we give everything back at the end of the game? We are playing for keeps, so be careful of what you do.

See also: play

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An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  (old-fashioned)

something that you say which means eating an apple every day will keep you healthy If 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' then why have I got this terrible cold?

See also: apple, away, day, doctor

for keeps  (informal)

for ever 'Do you want your tennis racket back?' 'No, it's yours for keeps.' She said she's left him for keeps this time.

See play for keeps

play for keeps  (American & Australian informal)

to do something very seriously and not just for enjoyment These arms dealers play for keeps - they want the best weapons available and will do anything to get them.

See also: play

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for keeps

yours forever When I give someone a present, it's for keeps.

play for keeps

to do something with very serious concern about the results These bargaining sessions are most difficult because both sides are playing for keeps. In many New York publishing houses, softball is played for keeps.

See also: play