Definition of the word keep to

Definition of the word keep to

Pronunciation of vocabulary keep to

keep tophrasal verb
giữ nguyên
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Origin of the word keep to

The origin of the phrase "keep to" can be traced back to the Middle English period around the 1400s. The phrase is a contraction of the older form "keep thee to," which consisted of the verb "keep" followed by the pronoun "thee" and the preposition "to." At that time, "keep" was used in a broader sense than it is today. It not only meant to guard or protect something but also referred to preserving or maintaining it. This broader meaning is still visible in some of the idiomatic uses of "keep," such as "keep cool" and "keep quiet." The form "keep to" transformed as English evolved. The pronoun "thee" fell out of general use in the 1700s, and by the 1800s, "keep" started to lose its lost its broader meaning and came to mean "to confine or restrain." As a result, "keep to" evolved into the modern phrase that we use today, which means "to stay on or adhere to something." The "to" has become a vestigial part of the phrase, but it serves as a reminder of its historical origins. In summary, the phrase "keep to" originated from an earlier form "keep thee to" in the Middle English period, which featured a broader meaning of the verb "keep." Over time, the phrase transformed due to shifts in English usage, and now "keep to" is a commonly used phrase that means "to stick to something."

Example of vocabulary keep tonamespace

to avoid leaving a path, road, etc.

để tránh để lại lối đi, con đường, v.v.

Keep to the track—the land is very boggy around here.
Đi theo đúng đường mòn vì vùng đất quanh đây rất lầy lội.

to talk or write only about the subject that you are supposed to talk or write about

chỉ nói hoặc viết về chủ đề mà bạn được cho là phải nói hoặc viết về

Nothing is more irritating than people who do not keep to the point.
Không gì khó chịu hơn những người không giữ đúng trọng tâm.

to do what you have promised or agreed to do

làm những gì bạn đã hứa hoặc đồng ý làm

to keep to an agreement/an undertaking/a plan
tuân thủ một thỏa thuận/một cam kết/một kế hoạch

Extra examples:

If we all keep to the agreement there won't be any problems.
Nếu tất cả chúng ta tuân thủ thỏa thuận thì sẽ không có vấn đề gì.
It was difficult for the team to keep to the plan.
Cả nhóm gặp khó khăn trong việc thực hiện theo kế hoạch.

to stay in and not leave a particular place or position

ở lại và không rời khỏi một nơi hoặc vị trí cụ thể