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

See Examples For:

for keeps

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2025

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

From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2023

He said this third coaching farewell is for keeps.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2022

Kevin Kiermaier is playing for keeps — and the Toronto Blue Jays may not be too keen on what he’s keeping.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2021

“All right,” she said, “rules: There’ll be no marble playing inside the school-house, even in bad weather, and there’ll be no playing for keeps, anywhere.”

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

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