Phrasal verb
keep off
Definition
phrasal verb. to stay away from a place or to avoid touching something. you also use this to tell someone not to walk on a specific area, like grass.
phrasal verb. to refrain from entering, walking upon, or touching a specific area or substance; frequently used in the imperative for prohibitions.
Examples
“Please keep off the grass.”
“The doctor told him to keep off his injured leg for at least a week to let it heal.”
“Security personnel were instructed to keep off any unauthorized individuals from the restricted perimeter during the high-profile summit.”
Examples
simple
“Please keep off the grass.”
contextual
“The doctor told him to keep off his injured leg for at least a week to let it heal.”
complex
“Security personnel were instructed to keep off any unauthorized individuals from the restricted perimeter during the high-profile summit.”
Usage
often used as a command on signs or in medical advice regarding physical strain.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'stay off' which is more passive; 'keep off' often implies a rule or a deliberate effort to avoid contact.
Pitfall
Keep off from the grass.
Keep off the grass.
the verb is followed directly by the object without the extra preposition 'from'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
keep + off + object