keep away

keep away (from someone or something)

1. To maintain a physical separation, as between two or more people or things. Kids, keep away from that beehive!
2. To cause someone or something to keep a physical distance from someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "keep" and "away." Keep the kids away from that beehive! Keep Aunt Mildred away from me, will you? She can be such a nag.
3. To avoid something, usually because it is harmful or dangerous. But no cake for Uncle Al—he's supposed to be keeping away from sweets. I think she's finally started keeping away from the cigarettes.
4. To cause someone to fail to do something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "keep" and "away." We're very disappointed that this storm is keeping us away from our trip.
See also: away, keep, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep someone or something away (from someone or something)

to maintain a physical distance between someone or something and someone or something, in any combination. I will try to keep the smokers away from you. Try to keep the dog away from the roast.
See also: away, keep

keep away

(from someone or something) Go to away (from someone or something).
See also: away, keep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

keep away

v.
1. To remain at a distance from something, especially something that should be avoided: You should keep away from fallen electrical wires after storms so that you don't get electrocuted. The dog is in a bad mood, so you should keep away.
2. To cause someone or something to remain at a distance from something: Keep your cat away from my dog! Keep the candy away—I'm on a diet.
3. To refrain from using or doing something, especially something harmful: The doctor said I should keep away from alcohol.
4. To cause someone or something to refrain from doing something: Nothing could keep me away from a quick trip to visit you. I love to ski in the winter, and nothing could keep me away.
See also: away, keep
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • keep away (from someone or something)
  • keep faith with
  • keep faith with (someone or something)
  • keep (one's) distance from (someone or something)
  • keep (one's) eyes on (someone or something)
  • keep (someone) in the picture
  • keep distance
  • keep (one's) distance
  • keep one's distance
  • keep in
References in periodicals archive
Keep away from: Wide necklines, boat, big straps and halter necklines tops, styles that extend or accentuate shoulders, styles that hide your silhouette, shoulder pad or capped hips and small prints and horizontal stripes.
Invest in clothes that flatter your body shape!
Meanwhile, Srinivasan has moved the SC challenging its order asking him to keep away from the affairs of the BCCI.
Contempt
The embassy, in a release, urged Kuwaiti citizens living in London to keep away from the sites of planned protests in order to ensure their safety.
Kuwaitis in UK urged to be cautious about London protest
ELECTRICITY bosses are urging children to keep away from substations and other electricity supplies as the holidays begin.
Warning of electricity hazards
FLIES will keep away from food, if you have lavender nearby.
gardening: Take a Tip
It knew to keep away from people and they kept away from it.
Letter: VIEWPOINT - Don't feed the seals
People were told to keep away from beaches over fears the strong winds could topple trees and tip high-sided vehicles.
Gale-force winds cause damage
Cotton plants, for instance, are often smothered with noxious chemicals to keep away bugs and weeds.
Earth-friendly fabrics
Keep away from Farnborough if you are not going to the show.
Will Farnborough 2006 be the World's Largest Air Show?
A: It's a kind of magic spell to keep away the evils of the wrong relationship.
Intimate revelations
Susan Wittig Albert has written an entertaining and diabolically clever amateur sleuth mystery focusing on a heroine who can't keep away from on ongoing investigation.
Dead Man's Bones
A FEW DROPS OF OIL ON THE BLADE WILL HELP KEEP AWAY RUST.
Jimmy of the jungle
For farm, field or other outdoor workers, Ex Officio offers Buzz Off Insect Shield Insect Repellant Apparel, a new line of outerwear that will keep away mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges.
... And from insects
Take a stand against pesky bug bites this spring and summer with products sure to keep away the bugs ...
Buzz off!
"If people can't behave at football matches they ought to keep away and if they don't keep away the courts should do something to ensure they keep away.
Football fan judge slams yob in court