ENGLISH
REFERENCE

keep on

idiom
Meaning

To persist or continue.


Examples
SIMPLE

Keep on walking until you reach the bridge.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the rain, the runners decided to keep on going until they finished the marathon.

COMPLEX

Though every instinct urged her to turn back, she chose to keep on, believing that dawn would bring clearer skies and safer paths.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cobbler, keep to your last

    One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.

  2. 02

    earn one's keep

    To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.

  3. 03

    gift that keeps on giving

    Something with continuous (typically positive) consequences.

  4. 04

    keep a civil tongue in one's head

    To maintain a polite manner of speaking.

  5. 05

    keep a close watch

    to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.

  6. 06

    keep a cool head

    To keep one's cool; to stay calm.

  7. 07

    keep a lid on

    To keep something secret.

  8. 08

    keep a low profile

    To be discreet and quiet.

Last updated April 17, 2026