keep off

verb

1. to stay or cause to stay at a distance (from)

2. (preposition) not to eat or drink or prevent from eating or drinking

3. (preposition) to avoid or cause to avoid (a topic)

4. (intr, adverb) not to start

   the rain kept off all day

Idioms and Phrases

Ward off, avert, as in She used a bug spray to keep off the mosquitoes . [Mid-1500s]

Stay away from, not touch or trespass on; also, prevent from touching or trespassing. For example, They put up a sign asking the public to keep off their property , or Please keep your feet off the sofa . [Late 1500s] Also see hands off .

Related Words

• avert 
• avoid 
• deflect 
• rebuff 
• rebut 
• reject 
• repel 
• repulse 
• resist 
• spurn 
• ward off