keep off
B1Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To stay away from something; to prevent something from touching, entering, or harming.
To avoid discussing a particular topic; to refrain from doing or consuming something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It can function as a transitive phrasal verb (keep off something) or an interjection/warning (Keep off!). The meaning shifts from literal physical avoidance to metaphorical or behavioural restraint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference. 'Keep off the grass' is a very common UK public sign. In US contexts, 'Stay off' can be equally or more frequent.
Connotations
In UK English, it carries a slightly more formal, instructional tone often found on public signage. In US English, it can sound slightly more direct or blunt.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to its common use in public notices and warnings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[imperative] Keep off![verb + particle + object] Keep off the wet paint.[verb + particle] The sign says 'Keep off'.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keep your hands off!”
- “Keep off the sauce (slang for alcohol).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Let's keep off the subject of layoffs for now and focus on Q3 projections.
Academic
The study advised participants to keep off caffeine for 24 hours prior to testing.
Everyday
Keep off the lawn; it's newly seeded.
Technical
Operators must keep off the marked safety zone during machinery operation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We put up a sign to keep people off the newly laid turf.
- He's trying to keep off fatty foods.
American English
- The sheriff told the kids to keep off private property.
- She kept off the topic of her divorce all evening.
adjective
British English
- 'Keep-off' ointments are designed to deter pets from furniture.
- They sell a keep-off spray for garden plants.
American English
- The keep-off notice was clearly posted on the fence.
- He used a keep-off deterrent on his boat to prevent birds.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Keep off the grass, please.
- Keep off the hot stove!
- You should keep off that subject with your boss.
- The doctor told him to keep off his feet for a few days.
- The negotiators agreed to keep off the most contentious issues until later.
- A good umbrella will keep the rain off.
- The government's campaign aims to keep young people off hard drugs.
- His diplomatic skills kept the conflict off the front pages for weeks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a KEEPer (goalkeeper) shouting 'OFF!' to stop the ball – he wants it to stay OFF the goal line.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROXIMITY IS DANGER / INVOLVEMENT (Staying physically distant metaphorically means avoiding involvement or trouble).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as "держать прочь". Use "держаться подальше от" or "избегать" for the 'avoid' sense, and "не трогать" for the 'don't touch' sense.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *I kept off to drink coffee. Correct: I kept off coffee. (Needs a direct object)
- Incorrect: *Please keep off from the grass. Correct: Please keep off the grass. (No 'from')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of 'keep off' in the sentence: 'The sign clearly said KEEP OFF.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is non-separable. You cannot say 'keep the kids off the grass' but you cannot insert an object between 'keep' and 'off' in a way that changes the core structure. 'Keep off the kids' would be wrong. The object always follows 'off'.
They are largely synonymous, especially in warnings. 'Keep off' often implies an ongoing effort or prevention ('keep off a diet'), while 'stay off' can emphasise the result of a single instruction ('Stay off the road!').
Yes, especially in imperative warnings. For example, a sign might simply say 'KEEP OFF' without specifying what to avoid, assuming the context is clear (e.g., a wet bench, a fragile roof).
It is commonly used to mean 'avoid discussing a topic'. Example: 'Let's keep off politics at the dinner table.' It can also mean to abstain from consuming something: 'I'm keeping off alcohol this month.'