keep after

Idioms

Make a persistent effort regarding; also, persistently urge someone to do something. For example, We'll have to keep after the cobwebs, or He won't get anything done unless you keep after him. Also see keep at, def. 2.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“This is something that we’re going to keep after both in the near term and the long term.”

From New York Times • May 9, 2023

He added, "These men are standing with dignity and honor, and continuing to keep after it."

From Fox News • Mar. 1, 2022

Spring planting is tough on gardeners, too, who have to keep after new installations with regular watering, or risk losing them.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2021

McAdoo and Reese likely will keep after him in the future.

From Washington Times • Jan. 9, 2017

“You know right well,” he whispered, shaking with fury, “you know right well why I keep after you—why I keep after you like I do.”

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023