Keep Up, Keep Down, Keep On & Keep Off — Fix Your English Today! | Speaking Practice

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:08]Hello everyone. Welcome back to Business English Desk. I'm Laura. And I'm Jamie.

[00:00:14]And okay, before we even start, I have to say something.

[00:00:18]>> What's up? So, I was at the gym this morning. Okay.

[00:00:21]>> And my trainer said to me, "Keep it up, Jamie."

[00:00:24]>> [laughter] >> And?

[00:00:25]>> And I thought, "Wait, that's one of today's phrases." Yes, it is. Before 8:00 a.m., already using today's vocabulary.

[00:00:33]>> [laughter] >> That is exactly the point.

[00:00:36]>> Right? These phrases are just everywhere.

[00:00:39]>> Everywhere. You're already surrounded by them.

[00:00:43]>> And after today, >> you will notice them every single time.

[00:00:47]>> Without even trying. And that is when English starts to feel natural. That's the moment.

[00:00:53]>> That's the moment we live for.

[00:00:55]>> So, today we are diving into >> the keep family.

[00:00:58]>> Yes, today we have keep up, >> keep down, >> keep on, >> and keep off. Four expressions. So many meanings between them.

[00:01:07]>> Real-life situations.

[00:01:08]>> Professional conversations.

[00:01:10]>> Personal conversations.

[00:01:11]>> Everyday moments.

[00:01:13]>> All of it.

[00:01:13]>> And we are going to go through every single one slowly, >> clearly, >> with examples you will actually use.

[00:01:20]>> Nothing complicated.

[00:01:21]>> Nothing textbook. We are very committed to that rule.

[00:01:26]Unbreakable rule. And if you are new here, welcome. We are so glad you found us.

[00:01:31]>> Hit subscribe.

[00:01:32]>> Yeah, do that right now.

[00:01:34]>> New episodes every week.

[00:01:35]>> And we make English feel like a real conversation.

[00:01:38]>> Not a grammar lesson.

[00:01:40]>> Never a grammar lesson. We are very committed to that rule. Unbreakable rule.

[00:01:45]>> Okay, are we ready? So ready. Let's go.

[00:01:47]Let's keep it going.

[00:01:49]Perfect.

[00:01:50]>> [laughter] >> Try. Okay, first one.

[00:01:53]Keep up.

[00:01:55]>> So, keep up has this energy to it. Like, it's motivating just to say. Right? Even before you know the meaning. Just hearing it makes you want to do better, try harder. Which is kind of perfect.

[00:02:09]So, first meaning, keep up means to continue doing something at the same level, to maintain your pace or standard. Like, don't slow down. Stay where you are. Keep doing what's working.

[00:02:24]>> Exactly. Keep up the good work.

[00:02:26]>> Oh, that phrase. Everyone has heard that phrase. Everyone. From a teacher, a manager, a coach, a parent, >> keep up the good work. Meaning, what you're doing is working. Don't stop.

[00:02:40]Keep going exactly like this. Right. And it's genuinely encouraging. It is. When someone says that to you, you feel it.

[00:02:48]You really do. It's validation. It's recognition. In just four words. Four words that land beautifully. Or in a professional setting, she has really kept up her performance this quarter.

[00:03:01]Meaning, she maintained her standard.

[00:03:03]She didn't drop off, she didn't slow down.

[00:03:05]>> Right. Consistent, reliable.

[00:03:08]>> That's a great thing to say about someone. Really great. In a performance review, in a team meeting, even in a casual compliment to a colleague.

[00:03:16]>> You've really kept up your quality lately. Meaning, I've noticed and I appreciate it.

[00:03:21]>> That goes a long way. It really does.

[00:03:24]Okay, second meaning. Keep up also means to stay at the same pace as someone. Oh, yes. I'm struggling to keep up with the rest of the class. Meaning, everyone else is moving faster and you're trying not to fall behind.

[00:03:39]>> Right. And this is so relatable, especially when you're learning something new. So relatable. Like when you're learning a language.

[00:03:47]Like right now? Like literally right now. Don't worry, Laura. Just keep up.

[00:03:53]Thanks, Jamie.

[00:03:55]Anytime. And professionally, it's hard to keep up with all the changes in the industry. Meaning, things are moving so fast, it's difficult to stay current.

[00:04:05]>> Right. Very real in today's world.

[00:04:07]>> Very real. Technology changes every 5 minutes. Every 5 minutes. And if you don't keep up, >> you fall behind quickly. I've been trying to keep up with the latest developments in AI. Meaning, staying informed, reading, learning, not letting the world move on without you. That sentence works in so many industries. So many. Marketing, finance, health care, education, everywhere things change fast. Which is everywhere.

[00:04:41]Everywhere. And there's one more meaning. Okay. Keep up with someone can also mean to stay in contact with them. Oh, like maintaining a relationship? Exactly. Not just professionally, personally, too.

[00:05:00]Do you still keep up with anyone from your old job? Meaning, are you still in touch? Do you still talk? Do you still know what's happening in their life?

[00:05:10]Right. I try to keep up with old friends even when life gets busy. That's actually really important. It really is.

[00:05:20]Life gets busy and it's so easy to lose touch. And keep up with is the perfect way to say, "I'm making an effort. I'm choosing to maintain this connection even when it's not easy." And it sounds so natural. Much more natural than, "Do you still communicate with them?"

[00:05:39]>> [laughter] >> So much more natural. Nobody talks like that.

[00:05:45]>> [laughter] >> Nobody. So, keep up means maintain your level or standard. Stay at the same pace as others. And stay in contact with someone. Three meanings, all very usable. All very everyday. And all somehow encouraging. Keep up has good energy. It really does. From the gym to the office, to old friendships. It covers everything.

[00:06:15]Keep up really earns its place.

[00:06:18]>> [laughter] >> Absolutely earns it. Okay, part two.

[00:06:22]Keep down. Hmm, this one is interesting.

[00:06:27]Because it feels like the opposite of keep up. In some ways, yes. But it has its own unique meanings, meanings that go in completely different directions.

[00:06:38]Okay, walk me through it. So, first, keep down means to stay low, to not rise up. Like, literally, physically? Yes.

[00:06:50]Keep down. Don't let them see you.

[00:06:53]Very dramatic.

[00:06:55]Very action movie. But people actually say this. They do. In genuinely tense situations. When you're hiding, when you need to stay out of sight. Or in a playful way with kids. Oh, absolutely.

[00:07:10]Playing hide and seek. Keep down, they're coming.

[00:07:14]Perfect. Every childhood game.

[00:07:17]Every single one. That whispered urgency.

[00:07:22]Keep down, keep down.

[00:07:24]While giggling the entire time.

[00:07:27]Which defeats the whole purpose.

[00:07:30]>> [laughter] >> It really does. But keep down also has a really important professional meaning.

[00:07:36]Oh, keep down means to control or limit something, to prevent it from rising.

[00:07:43]Like, keeping costs down. Exactly. We need to keep costs down this quarter.

[00:07:50]Meaning, don't let them increase.

[00:07:52]Control the spending. Watch every dollar. Right. And you will hear this in every business meeting. Every budget conversation. Every project update. How do we keep expenses down? Right. It's almost a business mantra. One of those phrases that just lives in boardrooms.

[00:08:13]And budget emails. And stressed Monday morning messages.

[00:08:18]Those, too. Keep the noise down during construction. Meaning, reduce it. Keep it at a low level. Don't let it disturb people. Right. Don't let it get out of control. And in everyday life, "Can you keep the music down? I'm trying to concentrate."

[00:08:34]>> [laughter] >> Said in every shared office. And every shared department.

[00:08:38]>> Every shared everything. Every shared everything. Open plan office culture brought this phrase to life.

[00:08:47]That is so accurate. "Can you keep it down over there?" Meaning, your noise is affecting me. Please lower the volume.

[00:08:55]Right. Polite, but firm. The polite way to say, "Please be quiet."

[00:09:00]>> [laughter] >> The polished version. Always go with the polished version. And there's one more meaning. Keep down when talking about food means to not vomit.

[00:09:11]>> Oh, like when you're sick?

[00:09:12]>> Yes. She couldn't keep anything down after the surgery. Meaning, everything she ate came back up.

[00:09:20]>> Right. Her body couldn't hold the food.

[00:09:22]>> Very medical, very real life. Very real life. And you'd hear a doctor ask, "Is he keeping his food down?" Meaning, can he eat without being sick? Is his stomach settling? Right. And a worried parent might say, "She hasn't been able to keep anything down since yesterday."

[00:09:41]Meaning, she's been vomiting. She can't keep food or liquid in her system.

[00:09:46]Right. Very important in medical conversations. Especially if you're working in health care or just navigating a doctor's appointment in English. Very useful to know. So, keep down. Stay physically low. Control or limit something. And keep food in your stomach. Three very different situations. One very useful phrase. And that cost meaning, Laura, you will use that in work constantly.

[00:10:14]>> [laughter] >> Constantly. Keep costs down is basically a business mantra. It really is. You could walk into any office in the world.

[00:10:24]>> Say, "We need to keep costs down." And everyone would nod immediately.

[00:10:29]>> [laughter] >> Immediately. Universal business language.

[00:10:33]Universal. Okay, part three. Keep on.

[00:10:37]Ooh, this one. I feel like this one is just pure persistence.

[00:10:43]>> [laughter] >> You know what? You're right.

[00:10:44]>> Like just hearing it makes you want to push through something. It does. There's a forward momentum to it.

[00:10:51]>> Like it refuses to stop.

[00:10:53]>> [laughter] >> Fitting for a word about persistence.

[00:10:56]Exactly fitting. So, first meaning, keep on means to continue doing something, to not give up. Like >> Keep going no matter what. Exactly. Just keep on trying. Meaning, don't stop.

[00:11:11]Even when it's hard. Even when progress feels slow. Right. And this phrase has so much warmth to it. It does. It feels like someone is beside you. Right beside you. Quietly cheering you on. Not pushing you. Just staying with you. Keep on going, Laura.

[00:11:30]See? Immediately feels supportive.

[00:11:33]It really does. Or, she kept on working even when the project got difficult.

[00:11:39]Meaning, she didn't quit. She pushed through. She stayed the course. Right.

[00:11:44]That's resilience. That's character. And in business writing, the team kept on despite the setbacks. Meaning, challenges came and they continued anyway. Nothing stopped them. Right.

[00:11:58]Very powerful sentence. Very impressive in any professional context. A performance review. A project summary. A case study about overcoming challenges.

[00:12:08]The team kept on despite losing two key members. Meaning, they faced real difficulty and they didn't stop. That says everything. Everything you need to know about that team. Right. And keep on doing something is also used when something happens repeatedly. Oh, like something keeps happening over and over?

[00:12:30]Yes. He keeps on interrupting me in meetings. Ooh, annoying.

[00:12:37]Very annoying. Meaning, it happened before, it happened again, and it keeps happening again and again. There's a frustration in that sentence. A clear frustration. You can feel it. You really can. She keeps on making the same mistake. Meaning, it's not a one-time thing. It's a pattern. And patterns need to be addressed. Right. And that's important to communicate clearly, especially with a manager. Very important. He keeps on missing deadlines. Meaning, this is not the first time. This is ongoing behavior.

[00:13:15]Right. And using keep on instead of just he missed a deadline shows it's a repeated issue. The repetition is built into the phrase. That's really useful.

[00:13:27]Really useful distinction. And there's another use. Okay. Keep on at someone means to repeatedly ask or pressure them. Oh, like nagging.

[00:13:40]Like nagging.

[00:13:42]>> [laughter] >> Very specific. Very specific. My mom kept on at me to call her back. Meaning, she asked again and again. She didn't let it go. She reminded me and reminded me again. Right. Until I finally called.

[00:13:58]Which is what moms do.

[00:14:01]That is literally what moms do. Or, my boss kept on at me about the report.

[00:14:06]Meaning, he asked repeatedly. Every day.

[00:14:09]Sometimes twice a day. Until it was done.

[00:14:13]>> [laughter] >> Pressure was real.

[00:14:16]Very real.

[00:14:18]>> [laughter] >> Sound familiar, Jamie?

[00:14:21]No comment.

[00:14:23]That's what I thought. So, keep on means Continue doing something persistently.

[00:14:29]Something happening repeatedly. And pressuring someone to do something.

[00:14:34]Three meanings, all with that same persistent energy.

[00:14:39]>> [laughter] >> Keep on has one gear. Forward.

[00:14:43]Always forward. No reverse.

[00:14:46]Never reverse. Okay. Last one. Keep off.

[00:14:51]Oh, this one is fun. Why fun? Because some meanings are very literal and some are surprisingly personal. Ooh, okay.

[00:15:02]Let's hear it. So, first meaning, keep off means to stay away from something. To not go near it.

[00:15:10]>> Like a warning? Exactly. Like a warning.

[00:15:13]Think of a sign. Keep off the grass.

[00:15:16]Classic. Every park ever. Every park, every lawn. Every fancy garden.

[00:15:22]>> [laughter] >> The fancier the garden, the bigger the sign.

[00:15:27]So true.

[00:15:28]And the more aggressively worded.

[00:15:31]>> [laughter] >> Strictly keep off the grass.

[00:15:34]With an exclamation mark.

[00:15:37]Always with an exclamation mark. And beyond signs, people use it in conversation, too. Like how? Keep off my desk. Meaning, don't touch it. Don't go near it. That's my space. Right. Firm, clear, no explanation needed.

[00:15:53]>> And everyone understands immediately.

[00:15:56]Or, the doctor told him to keep off alcohol for a month. Meaning, avoid it completely. Don't consume it for your health. Right. Very medical. Very direct.

[00:16:08]>> And you could say the same for food, certain activities, anything a doctor might restrict. Exactly. Keep off caffeine. Keep off processed food. Keep off strenuous exercise for 2 weeks. Very health conversation language. Very. And very easy to understand. No ambiguity.

[00:16:27]None at all. And there's a social meaning, too. Keep off a topic means to avoid discussing it. Yes. We agreed to keep off the subject of money at dinner.

[00:16:40]Meaning, we decided not to discuss it.

[00:16:42]It causes tension. It ruins the mood.

[00:16:45]Right. And every family has that topic.

[00:16:48]>> [laughter] >> Every single family.

[00:16:51]Without exception. That one subject that changes the energy immediately. The moment someone brings it up You can feel the room shift.

[00:17:01]>> [laughter] >> Immediately. Just keep off politics tonight.

[00:17:06]Especially at holiday dinners.

[00:17:09]Especially then. Thanksgiving.

[00:17:11]Christmas. Any gathering with strong opinions.

[00:17:16]Any gathering. But also in professional settings. Let's keep off that topic until we have more information. Meaning, let's not go there yet. It's not the right time. We don't have all the facts.

[00:17:28]Right.

[00:17:30]Very mature. Very strategic.

[00:17:33]>> You're not avoiding it forever. Just not now. And that distinction matters. It really does. And keep off also means when rain or bad weather stays away. Oh, like hoping for good weather? Yes. I hope the rain keeps off. Meaning, I hope it doesn't rain. Please stay away, clouds.

[00:17:53]>> [laughter] >> Please.

[00:17:55]The most British sentence.

[00:17:58]>> [laughter] >> The most British thing ever said. I hope the rain keeps off. Said at every outdoor event in Britain.

[00:18:06]Every barbecue.

[00:18:08]>> [laughter] >> Every single barbecue. Every garden party. Every school sports day. Every outdoor wedding.

[00:18:17]Every outdoor wedding where someone checks the forecast every 10 minutes.

[00:18:22]Refreshing the weather app.

[00:18:24]>> [laughter] >> Every 5 minutes.

[00:18:27]Just keep off.

[00:18:30]Please just keep off. So, keep off. Stay away from a place or thing. Avoid consuming something. Avoid discussing a topic. And hope bad weather stays away.

[00:18:41]Mhm. Four very real meanings. And all very usable. You'll find yourself using every one of them. Sooner than you think. And often in the same week.

[00:18:52]Probably the same day.

[00:18:54]Very possibly. Okay, role play time.

[00:18:57]Yes. All right. Scenario. What are we doing? Two colleagues, Monday morning, back in the office after a tough week.

[00:19:05]Oh, very realistic. Very Monday energy.

[00:19:09]The kind where coffee isn't enough.

[00:19:12]>> [laughter] >> Never enough. Ready. Morning, Jamie. How are you holding up? Honestly, trying to keep on. Last week was a lot. I know, but you kept on through it. That matters. Thanks, Laura. Hey, did you see the new budget memo? I did. They want to keep costs down by 20%. 20%? That's significant. It is, if we keep up the efficiency we had last month, we can make it work. You think so? I do. We just can't let things slip.

[00:19:43]Agreed. Oh, and the client meeting is still on for Thursday. Right. One thing, though. Let's keep off the topic of the delays. Good call. They're already sensitive about it. Exactly. Keep it positive. Keep it forward-focused. And I'll keep on top of the presentation.

[00:20:00]Perfect. Oh, and keep off the third floor today. Why? Maintenance. They're keeping the noise down up there.

[00:20:08]Finally. Right? And how many did everyone catch?

[00:20:13]>> [laughter] >> Let's count. Keep on Kept on Keep costs down Keep up Keep off the topic, keep on top, keep off the floor Keeping the noise down All in one Monday morning conversation. The most productive Monday.

[00:20:31]And none of them felt forced.

[00:20:33]>> They just belonged there. Because they do. That's the magic of learning this way. You hear them in context.

[00:20:40]>> You feel how they work.

[00:20:42]>> And then They start coming out naturally. Always. That's always the goal. Quiz time. Yes. Listeners, fill in the blank.

[00:20:52]>> Say it out loud.

[00:20:53]>> Please. Every single time. It makes a real difference. Your brain needs to hear it in your own voice. That's how it sticks. Every time. Sentence one. You've been doing amazing work lately. Keep it up. Keep it up. Maintain that standard.

[00:21:11]Don't stop. You're doing great. Perfect.

[00:21:14]Encouraging and natural. Sentence two.

[00:21:18]The doctor said to keep off sugar for at least two weeks. Keep off. Avoid it completely. Don't consume it. Yes. Good for your health. Easier said than done.

[00:21:31]Always, especially around the holidays.

[00:21:34]Especially then. Sentence three. He just keeps on making the same errors in every report. Keeps on. It's a repeated pattern. It keeps happening again and again. Right. Time for a conversation.

[00:21:50]Probably yes. A very direct one.

[00:21:54]Very direct. Sentence four. We really need to keep expenses down this quarter.

[00:22:02]Keep expenses down. Control them. Don't let them rise. Watch every line item.

[00:22:08]Exactly. Every finance team ever.

[00:22:12]Every Monday morning meeting. Every budget review. Every stressed CFO. Last one. Do you still keep up with anyone from your university? Keep up with. Stay in contact with. Maintain the relationship even when years have passed. Yes. And that last one is such a natural question. Such a natural phrase.

[00:22:35]You'll use it with old colleagues. Old classmates. Old friends you've lost touch with. Do you still keep up with anyone from back then? Such a human question. Such a human phrase.

[00:22:47]Listeners, how did you do? Drop your score in the comments. Five out of five?

[00:22:51]We will genuinely celebrate you. Every single one of you. We mean that. Okay, let's bring it all home. Keep up.

[00:23:00]Maintain your level or standard. Stay at the same pace as others. And stay in contact with someone. Keep down. Stay physically low. Control or limit something. And keep food in your stomach. Keep on. Continue doing something persistently. Something happening repeatedly. And pressuring someone to do something. Keep off. Stay away from a place or thing. Avoid consuming something. Avoid a topic in conversation. And hope bad weather stays away.

[00:23:31]>> [sighs] >> That was a really solid episode. Really solid. I'm so proud of this one. Jamie!

[00:23:40]What? That's usually my line.

[00:23:43]>> [laughter] >> I'm taking it today.

[00:23:45]Fair enough. I mean it though. Every meaning was useful. Every single one.

[00:23:50]Nothing thrown in just to fill time.

[00:23:53]Real language. Real situations. Warmly, real conversations.

[00:23:59]Every week without fail. But I mean it every time. Warmly, and that's why it works.

[00:24:05]>> [laughter] >> Thank you, Jamie. Anytime, Laura. Okay, before we let you go Your challenge this week Pick just two. Two of today's phrases And use them somewhere real. An email. A conversation. A message to a friend. Even just say them out loud while you're getting ready in the morning. On your commute, while you're making coffee. Wherever life takes you today. Because that is how language truly becomes yours. Not from watching.

[00:24:33]Not from just listening. From using.

[00:24:36]Over and over Until it stops feeling like studying and starts feeling like just talking. Just being yourself in English. And that moment >> is everything. Everything. Come back and tell us which ones you used. Drop it in the comments. I used keep up in a real conversation. We will celebrate you.

[00:24:59]Every time. Loudly. So loudly. And if today helped you Give it a like. It helps the channel grow. Which means more people finding us. More people learning English. The way it should be learned.

[00:25:12]That's why we do it. Every single week.

[00:25:15]More than you know. Subscribe if you haven't yet.

[00:25:18]>> New episode every single week. Share it with someone learning English. Warmly, best thing you can do for them. We genuinely mean that. All right, everyone. This has been Business English Desk. I'm Laura. I'm Jamie. And we'll see you next week. Keep up the incredible work. Keep on learning every single day. Keep the negativity down.

[00:25:41]And keep off anything [music] that doesn't serve you. Bye. Bye.

[00:25:48]>> [music]