keep off
Britishverb
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to stay or cause to stay at a distance (from)
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(preposition) not to eat or drink or prevent from eating or drinking
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(preposition) to avoid or cause to avoid (a topic)
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(intr, adverb) not to start
the rain kept off all day
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Ward off, avert, as in She used a bug spray to keep off the mosquitoes . [Mid-1500s]
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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 .
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.
In mid-December, however, Lilly produced new data showing that it worked well at helping patients keep off weight they had previously lost on Lilly’s injectable Zepbound and Novo’s injectable Wegovy.
From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone said that while she will still uses Instagram during the tournament, she will respect the decision of any team-mate who decides to keep off social media while in Switzerland.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2025
The findings indicate that people may need to remain on tirzepatide to keep off the pounds.
From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2023
People were advised to keep off the southeastern sector along the Besuk Kobokan River, which is in the path of the lava flow.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2022
“Well, impart this to your so-called pupils. Tell ‘em to keep off my property.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
