Keep sth off sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Keep sth off sb” Mean?

“Keep sth off sb” means to prevent something from touching or affecting someone. It is often used to describe avoiding contact with dirt, harm, or unwanted things.

Introduction

The phrase “Keep sth off sb” is a useful phrasal verb in English that helps describe the act of stopping something from coming near or touching a person. The “sth” stands for “something,” and “sb” means “somebody.” For example, you might want to keep mud off your clothes or keep cold off your body. Understanding the “Keep sth off sb meaning” can help you talk clearly about protecting yourself or others from unwanted things. This phrase is common in everyday conversations, especially when discussing cleanliness, safety, or comfort.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Keep something off somebody
• Type: Transitive
• Level: A2 – B2
• Short meaning: Prevent something from touching or affecting someone

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Keep sth off sb” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (“sth”) between “keep” and “off,” or after “off.” However, in formal use, it is more common to say “keep something off somebody.”

• Keep + something + off + somebody (most common)
• Keep + off + something + from + somebody (less common and more formal)

How to Use “Keep sth off sb”?

Use “Keep sth off sb” when you want to talk about preventing something from touching or harming a person. It often relates to physical things like dirt, water, or cold. You can also use it metaphorically, for example, to keep worries or stress away from someone.

Examples

Imagine you are gardening and want to avoid getting mud on your clothes. You might say:

• “I always wear boots to keep mud off my shoes.”
• “She put on a raincoat to keep the rain off her body.”
• “Keep the dog’s paws off the clean floor.”
• “He used sunscreen to keep the sun off his skin.”
• “They installed a fence to keep strangers off their property.”

These sentences show how to keep something physically away from someone or something.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. Here are some examples:

• Incorrect: Keep off the mud your shoes.
• Correct: Keep the mud off your shoes.
• Incorrect: Keep your shoes off mud.
• Correct: Keep mud off your shoes.

Remember, “off” usually comes after the object (the thing you want to keep away) and before the person or thing being protected.

Differences / Synonyms

“Keep sth off sb” is similar to phrases like “stay away from,” “avoid,” or “keep away.” But it specifically means to stop physical contact or effect. For example:

• Keep away from sb: Avoid being near someone (more general, not always physical contact)
• Keep sth off sb: Prevent something from touching or affecting someone (more specific to physical contact)

So, “keep sth off sb” is more about protection from physical things rather than just distance.

Common Collocations

Here are some common things used with “keep off”:

• Mud: Keep mud off your clothes (avoid getting dirty)
• Rain: Keep rain off your skin (stay dry)
• Sun: Keep the sun off your face (avoid sunburn)
• Dogs or animals: Keep dogs off the lawn (stop animals from entering)
• Dirt: Keep dirt off the furniture (stay clean)

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of keep sth off sb:

• Keep To Sth
• Keep Sth Out Of Sth
• Keep Sth Out
• Keep Sth Off Sth
• Keep Sb From Doing Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “keep sth off sb”:

Anna: It’s raining outside. Do you have an umbrella?

Ben: Yes, I do. I want to keep the rain off my clothes.

Anna: Good idea! I hate getting wet.

Ben: Me too. Let’s hurry so we can keep the rain off our skin.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “keep sth off sb”:

• 1. Please _________ the dog ________ the garden.
• 2. She wears gloves to _________ the cold ________ her hands.
• 3. We need to _________ mud ________ our shoes when hiking.
• 4. The sunscreen helps _________ the sun ________ your face.

FAQs

• Q: Is “keep sth off sb” formal or informal?

  A: It is common in both formal and informal English, especially in everyday speech.
• Q: Can “keep sth off sb” be used figuratively?

  A: Mostly it refers to physical things, but sometimes it can mean protecting someone from worries or problems.

• Q: What is the difference between “keep off” and “keep sth off sb”?

  A: “Keep off” alone means to stay away from something, while “keep sth off sb” means to prevent something from touching someone.
• Q: Can I say “keep off the mud your shoes”?

  A: No, the correct order is “keep the mud off your shoes.”

• Q: Is “keep sth off sb” separable?

  A: Yes, but it’s best to keep the object between “keep” and “off” for clarity.