Pronunciation: /kip bæk/
noun a restraint or limit placed on someone or something
A1 I always keep back some money for emergencies.
A2 She asked the teacher to keep back her test results until she was ready to see them.
B1 The company decided to keep back a portion of the profits for future investments.
B2 It's important to keep back some personal information in order to protect your privacy online.
C1 The government is considering whether to keep back certain classified information from the public.
C2 The CEO made the decision to keep back details of the merger until all negotiations were finalized.
verb to hold or restrain someone or something
A1 Please keep back from the edge of the platform.
A2 I told the dog to keep back from the road.
B1 It's important to keep back any personal information when chatting online.
B2 The police officer had to keep back the crowd during the protest.
C1 The company decided to keep back some of its profits for future investments.
C2 The government is considering whether to keep back some of the funding for the project.
adverb in a backward direction
A1 Please keep back from the edge of the platform.
A2 Keep back your hair with a hair tie while cooking.
B1 Drivers are advised to keep back a safe distance from the car in front.
B2 The security guard told the crowd to keep back behind the barricade.
C1 It is important to keep back any personal biases when making important decisions.
C2 The company decided to keep back some of its profits for future investments.
formal Please remember to keep back from the edge of the platform while waiting for the train.
informal Hey, can you keep back a bit so I can have some space too?
slang Yo, dude, keep back, I'm trying to concentrate here.
figurative It's important to keep back your emotions and think logically in this situation.
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