What Does “Keep sth away” Mean?
“Keep sth away” means to prevent something from coming close or being near. It often refers to maintaining distance for safety, cleanliness, or control.
Introduction
The phrase “keep sth away” is a common phrasal verb in English. It is used to describe the action of stopping something from getting close to you or a particular place. The “sth” stands for “something,” which means you can replace it with any noun depending on the situation. For example, you can keep germs away by washing your hands or keep children away from dangerous areas. Understanding the keep sth away meaning helps you use this phrase correctly in daily conversations and writing. It is useful in many contexts, from health and safety to general advice.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: keep something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: A2–B2
- Short meaning: to prevent something from coming near
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Keep sth away” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object either between “keep” and “away” or after “away.”
- Keep something away
- Keep away something (less common but possible with pronouns)
For example:
- Keep the dog away from the garden.
- Keep away the dog.
However, with pronouns, the object usually comes between the verb and the particle:
- Keep it away.
How to Use “Keep sth away”?
You use “keep sth away” when you want to talk about stopping something or someone from getting close. It is often used for safety, health, or protection reasons. The phrase can be applied to physical things, like animals or objects, or abstract ideas like danger or problems.
For example, you can keep pests away from your house or keep bad habits away from your life. It is a versatile phrase that fits many situations.
Examples
Here are some examples showing how to use “keep sth away” in a sentence:
- We keep the chemicals away from children to avoid accidents.
- She uses a special spray to keep mosquitoes away during summer.
- It’s important to keep stress away by relaxing regularly.
- The farmer keeps wild animals away from the crops with a fence.
- Keep your phone away while driving to stay safe.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the order of words or use incorrect prepositions with “keep sth away.” Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Keep away the dog from the garden.
- Correct: Keep the dog away from the garden.
- Incorrect: Keep away from the bugs the spray.
- Correct: Keep the bugs away with the spray.
Remember that “keep” is followed by the object and then “away,” often followed by “from” plus the place or person.
Differences / Synonyms
Other similar phrasal verbs include “keep off” and “stay away.” They all involve distance but have slight differences.
- Keep off: Usually used to tell someone not to touch or step on something, like “Keep off the grass.”
- Stay away: Means to avoid a place or person, focusing more on the action of not going near.
- Keep sth away: Focuses on actively preventing something from coming close.
For example, “Keep the dog away” means stop the dog from coming near, while “Stay away from the dog” means avoid the dog yourself.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects and ideas used with “keep sth away,” with their meanings:
- Keep pests away: Prevent insects or animals that damage plants or food.
- Keep danger away: Stop risk or harm from coming near.
- Keep children away: Prevent kids from entering or being near a place.
- Keep germs away: Avoid bacteria or viruses from spreading.
- Keep distractions away: Stop things that interfere with focus.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of keep sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “keep sth away”:
Anna: How do you keep mosquitoes away during summer?
Ben: I use citronella candles and wear long sleeves. It helps keep them away.
Anna: That’s a good idea! I’ll try that too.
Practice
Try this exercise to practice using “keep sth away”:
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “keep sth away”:
- We should _______ (keep / away / the dog) from the kitchen.
- She uses a net to _______ (keep / away / mosquitoes) while camping.
- It’s important to _______ (keep / away / distractions) when studying.
- My parents always tell me to _______ (keep / away / strangers).
FAQs
- Q: Can “keep sth away” be used with abstract ideas?
A: Yes, you can use it with ideas like danger, stress, or distractions.
- Q: Is “keep sth away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “keep” and “away.”
- Q: Can I say “keep away sth”?
A: It is possible but less common and sounds awkward with nouns; better with pronouns.
- Q: What is the difference between “keep away” and “stay away”?
“Keep away” means to stop something from coming close, while “stay away” means to avoid going near.
- Q: Is “keep sth away” formal or informal?
It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
