What Does “Keep sb out” Mean?
“Keep sb out” means to prevent someone from entering a place or becoming involved in something.
Introduction
The phrase “keep sb out” is a common phrasal verb used in everyday English. It is often used when talking about blocking or stopping someone from entering a place, group, or situation. Understanding the “keep sb out meaning” helps learners communicate clearly, especially when discussing security, privacy, or exclusion. This phrase is versatile and appears in many contexts, from physical barriers to emotional or social boundaries.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: keep somebody out
- Type: transitive
- Level: A2–B1
- Short meaning: to prevent someone from entering or joining
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Keep sb out” is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between “keep” and “out” or after the entire phrase.
- Keep someone out
- Keep out someone (less common but possible)
Example patterns:
- Keep + somebody + out (e.g., They keep strangers out.)
- Keep + out + somebody (e.g., They keep out strangers.)
How to Use “Keep sb out”?
Use “keep sb out” when you want to talk about stopping someone from entering a place or being part of something. It is often used in contexts about security, privacy, or exclusion. The phrase can refer to physical spaces like houses or rooms, or more abstract concepts like groups or conversations.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “keep sb out in a sentence”:
- They installed a fence to keep strangers out of their garden.
- The security guard keeps unwanted visitors out of the building.
- She tries to keep her emotions out of the discussion.
- The club keeps out people who don’t follow the rules.
- We need to keep the kids out of the construction zone for safety.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the position of the object or use incorrect prepositions. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Keep out the people.
- Correct: Keep the people out.
- Incorrect: Keep out from the room.
- Correct: Keep out of the room. (Note: “Keep sb out” does not use “from” after it.)
Remember, “keep sb out” is better with a direct object between or after the verb and particle.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “lock out,” “shut out,” and “bar from.” While all suggest preventing entry, “keep sb out” is more general and can apply to people and abstract ideas. “Lock out” emphasizes locking or physical barriers. “Shut out” often implies exclusion from opportunities or participation, and “bar from” is more formal and legal.
Common Collocations
Here are some common words used with “keep sb out” and their meanings:
- Keep burglars out: prevent thieves from entering
- Keep children out: prevent kids from entering a dangerous place
- Keep strangers out: stop unknown people from entering
- Keep competitors out: prevent rivals from joining or accessing
- Keep emotions out: avoid letting feelings influence a situation
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of keep sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “keep sb out”:
Anna: Did you lock the front door?
Ben: Yes, I want to keep burglars out while we’re away.
Anna: Good idea. We don’t want any unwanted guests.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) They keep out the visitors during the meeting.
- B) They keep the visitors out during the meeting.
- C) They keep out from the visitors during the meeting.
Answer: B) They keep the visitors out during the meeting.
FAQs
- Q: Can “keep sb out” be used for abstract ideas?
A: Yes, you can keep emotions or thoughts out of a situation. - Q: Is “keep sb out” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I say “keep out sb”?
A: It’s less common; usually, the object comes between “keep” and “out.” - Q: What is the difference between “keep sb out” and “lock sb out”?
A: “Lock sb out” emphasizes locking a door or barrier, while “keep sb out” is more general. - Q: Can “keep sb out” be used in past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “They kept the kids out of the room.”
