for keeps

Idioms  

1. For the winner to retain, as in You can't take the marbles back; we were playing for keeps . [Mid-1800s]

2. For an indefinitely long time, forever, as in She is leaving town for keeps .

3. In earnest, seriously, as in We're separating for keeps . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

I’d been friendly with the group before, but now we were bonded for keeps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 25, 2025

He kept an eye out for Selener — and now he has her for keeps.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2024

"Penny Lane is in our ears and in our eyes - and this time it's for keeps."

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2023

The last seven regular-season games now essentially serve as an audition as Leonhard tries to show he should have the job for keeps.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2022

“They’re bound to go under now, but if you can’t play for keeps, you shouldn’t be in the business in the first piace. And Kowalski never could play for keeps. And Hoodhood and Associates can.”

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt