A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

keep someone in something • keep someone to
something
keep someone in something —provide a person with smth.
such as food, etc.: The uniforms were goofy, but the food was
free and the money kept me in clothes and rock music.
keep someone to something —
1
. cause a person to talk about
smth. without letting his attention wander: Your patient may
require guidance to keep him to the subject in hand. 2. make
a person do what has been agreed: He wished to relinquish
his last year at Harvard, and Cynthia had to summon all her
forces to keep him to his promise of staying.
keep someone on track • keep track of someone
keep someone on track —keep a person focused on a task,
etc.: Stephen begins to speak softly and I keep him on track
by moving my finger along with the words he reads.
keep track of someone —continue to be informed or know
about smb.: Has anyone even seen John recently? He’s been
so busy lately we can’t even keep track of him.
keep something dark • throw light on something
keep something dark —keep smth. secret: Latham had given
the impression that he knew all about the subject but wanted
to keep it dark.
throw light on something —(also: shed light on something) clar-
ify or explain smth.: An Australian fossil related to a species
known in Argentina may throw light on the continent’s geo-
graphical past.
keep something for oneself • keep something to
oneself
keep something for oneself —save smth. for one’s own use: I
actually bought you those slippers, but liked them so much I
decided to keep them for myself.
keep something to oneself —keep information, etc. secret from
other people: Please continue to keep these facts to yourself
for a little while longer, Paul.
keep something in mind • keep something in one’s
head
keep something in mind —remember and think about smth.;
not forget smth: We have no vacancies now, but we’ll certainly
keep your application in mind.