Keep to
2 meanings · select one to explore
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To not share information with others; to keep something private
Example sentence
She asked him to keep the news to himself.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: keep + something + to + oneself
keep it to yourself
keep it to himself
keep the secret to yourself
keep your opinions to yourself
keep it to herself
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
He kept the secret to himself for years. ✅ (Correct — always used with a reflexive pronoun: to himself/herself/yourself/etc.)
He kept to himself the secret for years. ❌ (Incorrect)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To stick to a plan, schedule, or topic
Example sentence
Let's keep to the original schedule if possible.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: keep to + plan/topic/schedule (noun)
keep to the schedule
keep to the plan
keep to the topic
keep to the rules
keep to the route
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
She keeps to her routine no matter what happens. ✅ (Correct)
She keeps her routine to no matter what happens. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)