for keeps
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For the winner to retain, as in You can't take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps. [Mid-1800s]
For an indefinitely long time, forever, as in She is leaving town for keeps.
In earnest, seriously, as in We're separating for keeps. [Late 1800s]
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby for keeps
fork, forkball, forked, forked chain, forked lightning, for keeps, forkful, forklift, fork-lift truck, fork luncheon, fork out
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.