keep together

keep together

1. Literally, to bind two or more things physically together. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "keep" and "together." Please don't use staples to keep the papers together, as they can jam up our fax machines.
2. To ensure something remains structurally intact. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "keep" and "together." They've been keeping the table together with duct tape.
3. To remain in a pair or a group with one or more other people or animals. OK, kids, please keep together as we make our way through the museum. We don't want anyone to get lost! The herd keeps together throughout the migration.
4. To cause, direct, or instruct two or more people or things to remain in a pair or group. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is usually used between "keep" and "together." I had a hard time keeping all the kids together at the park. I like to keep all my souvenirs together in a display case.
5. To ensure that a group of people remain together. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "keep" and "together." Really it was only our shared friendship with Tommy that kept our group together in high school. After he left, we all just sort of went our separate ways. My sister has been trying her best to keep our family together, but there has been too much hurt over the years.
6. To ensure that some organization does not disband or fall apart. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "keep" and "together." The new CEO vowed to do whatever it took to keep the company together. Common interests and ideals have kept together this union of countries for the last 50 years.
7. To ensure someone or oneself remains in a functional, coherent, emotionally stable condition, especially despite or in the midst of some trouble or difficulty. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "keep" and "together." Sarah was the only one keeping me together during that rough patch in my life. I thought he'd go off the deep end after he got fired, but he really kept himself together. I had a really hard time keeping it together after my wife died.
See also: keep, together
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep someone or something together

to keep things or a group of people together; to keep something, including a group of people, from falling apart. I hope we can keep our club together for a few more years. We will keep it together for a while longer. Keep your toys together. Don't scatter them all over the house.
See also: keep, together

keep together

to remain as a group. We will keep together to the very end. Our group decided to keep together.
See also: keep, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • draw people or things together
  • draw together
  • knit together
  • lash together
  • piece together
  • crash together
  • splice together
  • knot together
  • cement together
  • string together
References in classic literature
'I think,' answered the bean, 'that as we have so fortunately escaped death, we should keep together like good companions, and lest a new mischance should overtake us here, we should go away together, and repair to a foreign country.'
Fairy Tales
only they will not run a great way, and you are sure of sport when you begin the chase, for they appear generally thirty or forty in a flock, and, like true sheep, always keep together when they fly.
Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
This last circumstance rendered it more perilous to keep together than to separate.
Astoria or Anecdotes of an enterprise beyond the Rocky Mountain
We will keep together, Joe, willingly, and be as good company as may be.
Barnaby Rudge A Tale Of The Riots Of Eighty
"My brother," I said, "I am unwilling to part from you without pointing out what I think you scarcely grasp, that large experience of camel-driving is necessary to anybody who intends to keep together a troop of thirty.
Arabian Nights
Victor and Axel, a Swede and a Norwegian, and I planned to keep together. (And so well did we, that for the rest of the cruise we were known as the "Three Sports.") Victor pointed out a pathway that disappeared up a wild canyon, emerged on a steep bare lava slope, and thereafter appeared and disappeared, ever climbing, among the palms and flowers.
John Barleycorn
So accustomed are the horses to this management, that they keep together in the pasture where they have been left.
Adventures of Captain Bonneville USA in the Rocky Mountains and
News of the deal ensures team principal Sir Dave Brailsford can keep together a team that has won six of the past seven Tour de Frances, as one of the most successful teams in the sport since forming in 2010.
A new dawn for Sky as Jim piles in
The 80-year-old said: "I hope they can keep together and keep feeling confident they can eventually win things.
Gordon Banks on Jord form
He said: "We have to play like that and keep together as a group.
LEO: STAY UP? NO WORRIES; In association with InIn aassssoocciiaattiioonn wwitithh
Nobody knows how it will turn out, but everyone's agreed that we need to keep together on the adventure of faith.
Adventure of faith and family
We try to engage with those attending, collect money from individuals, ensure people are safe and keep together and, above all, learn something about the town we live in."
Volunteers needed for walks
Despite the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and the repeated formation of SNP Governments in Scotland, he argues devolution has enabled the UK to "keep together".
Blair: I was warned that pursuit of devolution was 'very dangerous'
The masks fall but are they strong enough to keep together? Harcourt has written an assured and memorable debut novel.
children's book of the week; THE LAST SUMMER OF US by Maggie Harcourt, Usborne, PS6.99
The masks fall but are they strong enough to keep together? masks fall but are they strong Harcourt has written an assured and memorable debut novel.
children's book of the week