keep by

keep (something) by

To keep some resource, especially money, in reserve for future use. It's good to reinvest your profits back into the business, but you should also keep some by in case of unforeseen hardships. We've been keeping extra funds by to help pay for the campaign.
See also: by, keep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep someone or something by someone

to make someone or something stay next to someone. Try to keep the twins by you until we have taken a few more pictures. Please keep this package by you until we are ready to present it.
See also: by, keep

keep something by

to keep something handy; to keep something in reserve, ready to be used. Keep this extra glue by in case you need it. This money had been kept by for just such an emergency.
See also: by, keep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • keep (something) by
  • earn its keep
  • keep away
  • keep away (from someone or something)
  • keep (something) under wraps
  • be asking for trouble
  • be looking for trouble
  • keep (one's) eyes on (someone or something)
  • keep (one's) eye(s) out (for something or someone)
  • keep eye out
References in periodicals archive
(http://venturebeat.com/2014/11/17/google-keep-now-lets-you-share-lists-with-friends-and-family-filter-notes-by-attributes/) VentureBeat explains the arrival of note sharing on Keep by highlighting an example from Google on creating and sharing a grocery list with friends or family members.