keep off

British  

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

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keep off Idioms  

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

2. 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 .

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Example Sentences

Since 2020, those Send debts have been kept off local authority books by a "statutory override" – which had been extended to 2027-28.

From BBC

Ovechkin was kept off the board, so the 767th goal of his illustrious career will have to wait until at least Friday when the Capitals visit former coach Bruce Boudreau and the Vancouver Canucks.

From Washington Times

The council said it had anecdotal evidence some were being kept off to reduce the risk of having to isolate.

From BBC

Readers were offered their first glimpse of his trademark cheeky schoolboy antics such as ignoring signs to 'keep off the grass' at a local park with comedy consequences.

From BBC

Those hoping to watch the race have been told to keep off the route and maintain their distance.

From BBC

Related Words

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