keep out

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out

Meanings

1

Prevent someone or something from entering

Why “out”? Out can mean away from sight, people, or access. You cannot see it, reach it, or join it.

The fence keeps the dog out.
The fence prevents the dog from entering.
This sign keeps visitors out.
This sign prevents visitors from entering.

Don't confuse with

keep outkeep up

Keep out means stop someone or something from entering. Keep up means continue at the same level.

keep outkeep back

Keep out means prevent someone or something from entering. Keep back means withhold information or feelings.

Test yourself

The fence keeps the dog out. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

Practice “keep out” in Sink In

Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.