KEEP OUT

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Remain outside

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "keep out" is one way to...):

remain; rest; stay (stay the same; remain in a certain state)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Prevent from entering; shut out

Example:

This policy excludes people who have a criminal record from entering the country

Synonyms:

exclude; keep out; shut; shut out

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "keep out" is one way to...):

keep; prevent (stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "keep out"):

curse; excommunicate; unchurch (exclude from a church or a religious community)

lock out (prevent employees from working during a strike)

ostracise; ostracize (avoid speaking to or dealing with)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Credits

Context examples:

I got in, and the boy shut the window close down, to keep out the cold.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

They could barely keep the traces taut, and on the down grades just managed to keep out of the way of the sled.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It might have been as well, perhaps, if you had been in my place, but you always contrive to keep out of these scrapes.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It is well we have no sceptic here, or he would say that you were working some spell to keep out an evil spirit.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell's, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Well, Miss Dashwood, said Mrs. Jennings, sagaciously smiling, as soon as the gentleman had withdrawn, I do not ask you what the Colonel has been saying to you; for though, upon my honour, I TRIED to keep out of hearing, I could not help catching enough to understand his business.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

In a place like this I'm sure to upset something, tread on people's toes, or do something dreadful, so I keep out of mischief and let Meg sail about.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

If you want to keep out of trouble, you'll steer clear of him, that's my talk.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It is better, therefore, for the insignificant to keep out of his way, lest, in his progress, he should trample them down.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Grant's bailiff, I believe I had better keep out of his way; and my brother-in-law himself, who is all kindness in general, looked rather black upon me when he found what I had been at.