Definition

1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
   • To refrain from entering, walking on, touching, or using something. It is an instruction or a state of avoidance.
   • To cause something to stay at a distance or to not begin.
   • To refrain from consuming certain foods or beverages.

Usage and Examples

• As an instruction (often on signs):

  • The sign said, "Please keep off the grass."
  • Visitors are asked to keep off the machinery for their own safety.

• To avoid consuming something:

  • Her doctor advised her to keep off fatty foods.
  • He has managed to keep off alcohol for five years.

• To stay away from a subject or topic:

  • During the meeting, we tried to keep off the controversial issue.
  • Let's keep off politics at the dinner table.

• To prevent something from starting or approaching:

  • We lit a fire to keep the mosquitoes off.
  • The umbrella helped keep the rain off.

Advanced Usage

• "Keep one's hands off": To not touch or take something that belongs to someone else.

  • I told him to keep his hands off my laptop.

• "Keep off someone's back" (idiomatic): To stop criticizing, nagging, or putting pressure on someone.

  • I wish my boss would keep off my back about the minor details.

Variants and Related Words

• Keep-Off (noun/adjective): Used attributively to describe something designed to prevent contact or use.
  • The garden had a keep-off notice. (This is a compound usage, not the core phrasal verb itself).

Synonyms

• Avoid: To stay away from.
• Refrain from: To stop oneself from doing something.
• Stay off: To not go onto or use.
• Steer clear of: To avoid completely.

Phrasal Verbs

• Keep off is itself a phrasal verb. Its meaning is integrated into the definitions above. It can be separable.
  • Can you keep the dog off the sofa? (Separable)
  • You should keep off that path. (Inseparable)

Related Idioms

• Keep your shirt on!: An idiom meaning "stay calm" or "don't get angry," which is related in structure but not in meaning to "keep off."
• Keep off the sauce: A slang idiom meaning to abstain from alcoholic drinks.
  • After his health scare, he decided to keep off the sauce for good.

Verb

1. refrain from entering or walking onto
   • keep off the grass
   • stay off the premises
2. refrain from certain foods or beverages
   • I keep off drugs
   • During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day