keep off

phrasal verb

kept off; keeping off; keeps off
1
: to stop or prevent (someone or something) from being on (something)
Keep off the grass.
Please keep the dog off the sofa.
2
keep (weight) off : to continue to weigh a lower amount than one formerly weighed : to not regain weight that one has lost
Losing weight is not as hard as keeping it off.
3
: to not talk about (something)
I think we'd better keep off the subject of the war.
4
: to prevent (someone) from talking about (something)
We tried to keep them off (the subject of) the war.

Examples of keep off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Every model’s hair was meticulously slicked back and kept off the face, allowing their natural beauty to take center stage–drawing all eyes to the garments. Lyric Christian, Essence, 6 Mar. 2025 The Big Story Trump transition team co-chair: RFK Jr. wants vaccines off market Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is looking for federal data that proves vaccines should be kept off the market, according to a Trump transition team member. The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 And the official state party, which was also lined up in favor of Mr. Cook and against Mr. Burrows, has said that, under new rules, Republican lawmakers who did not support the majority Republican choice could be kept off the primary ballot by the party in a future election. J. David Goodman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 In addition to keeping off the pounds, plant-centric diets lower inflammation throughout the body, another driver of sleep apnea, Eckert says. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for keep off

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Cite this Entry

“Keep off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20off. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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