[keep things humming] <v. phr.> To cause thing to perform smoothly and efficiently. * /Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps things humming./

[keep time] <v. phr.> 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. To keep the beat; keep the same rhythm; keep in step. * /Many people are surprised at how well deaf people keep time with the music when they dance./

[keep to oneself] See: TO ONESELF(2).

[keep track] <v. phr.> To know about changes; stay informed or up-to-date; keep a count or record. * /What day of the week is it? I can't keep track./ - Usually used with "of". * /Mr. Stevens kept track of his business by telephone when he was in the hospital./ * /The farmer has so many chickens, he can hardly keep track of them all./ Compare: IN TOUCH, KEEP UP(3). Contrast: LOSE TRACK.

[keep under one's hat] <v. phr.>, <informal> To keep secret; not tell. * /Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under his hat until it was announced publicly./ - Often used as a command. * /Keep it under your hat./ Syn.: KEEP TO ONESELF.

[keep up] <v.> 1a. To go on; not stop; continue. * /The rain kept up for two days and the roads were flooded./ Compare: KEEP ON. 1b. To go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop. * /Mrs. Smith told John to keep up the good work./ * /The teacher asked Dick to stop bothering Mary, but he kept it up./ Compare: KEEP AT. 2a. To go at the same rate as others. * /John had to work hard to keep up./ * /Billy was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others./ Compare: CATCH UP, KEEP PACE. Contrast: FALL BEHIND, GET BEHIND(1). 2b. To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good condition. * /The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up./ * /Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house./ 3. To keep informed.
– Usually used with "on" or "with". * /Mary is interested in politics and always keeps up with the news./ Compare: KEEP TRACK.

[keep up appearances] <v. phr.> To maintain an outward show of prosperity in spite of financial problems. * /Mr. Smith's widow had a hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death./

[keep up one's end] See: HOLD ONE'S END UP.

[keep up with] See: KEEP STEP WITH, KEEP ABREAST OF.

[keep up with the Joneses] <v. phr.> To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./

[keep watch] <v. phr.> To be vigilant; be alert; guard. * /The police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped convict./

[keep your fingers crossed] See: CROSS ONE'S FINGERS.

[kettle] See: KETTLE OF FISH, POT CALLS THE KETTLE BLACK.

[kettle of fish] <v. phr.>, <informal> Something to be considered; how things are; a happening; business. * /I thought he needed money, but it was another kettle of fish - his car had disappeared./ Usually used with "pretty", "fine", "nice", but meaning bad trouble. * /He had two flat tires and no spare on a country road at night, which was certainly a pretty kettle of fish./ * /This is a fine kettle of fish! I forgot my book./ Compare: CUP OP TEA(2).

[key] See: LOW KEY, OFF-KEY.

[keyed up] <adj.>, <informal> Excited; nervous; anxious to do something. * /Mary was all keyed up about the exam./ * /Mother would not let Tom read a ghost story at bedtime; she said it would get him keyed up./

[kick about] See: KICK AROUND(3).

[kick against the pricks] <v. phr.>, <literary> To fight against rules or authority in a way that just hurts yourself. * /Johnny kicked against the pricks in his foster home until he learned that he could trust his new family./

[kick around] <v.>, <informal> 1. To act roughly or badly to; treat badly; bully. * /John likes to kick around the little boys./ * /Mr. Jones is always kicking his dog around./ Syn.: PUSH AROUND. 2. To lie around or in a place; be treated carelessly; be neglected. * /This old coat has been kicking around the closet for years./ * /The letter kicked around on my desk for days./ 3. <slang> To talk easily or carelessly back and forth about; examine in a careless or easy-going way. * /Bob and I kicked around the idea of going swimming, but it was hot and we were too lazy./ Compare: TRY OUT, TALK OVER. 4. To move about often; go from one job or place to another; become experienced. * /Harry has kicked around all over the world as a merchant seaman./ Compare: HAS BEEN AROUND.

[kick back] <v.>, <slang>, <informal> To pay money illegally for favorable contract arrangements. * /I will do it if you kick back a few hundred for my firm./

[kickback] <n.>, <slang>, <informal> Money paid illegally for favorable treatment. * /He was arrested for making kickback payments./

[kick down] <v. phr.>, <slang> To shift an automobile, jeep, or truck into lower gear by hand-shifting. * /Joe kicked the jeep down from third to second, and we slowed down./