For keeps means permanently, with no need to return it: you can have the spare backpack for keeps. It's useful when people might think something is only a loan: is this camera mine for keeps, or should I return it? It sounds casual and warm.
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have / keep something for keeps; yours for keeps
- You can have the spare backpack for keeps; I won't need it again.
- Is this camera mine for keeps, or should I return it after the trip?
- They gave the winning team the painted wooden cup for keeps.
What changed
First versionYou can have these old maps for keep.
RevisionYou can have these old maps for keeps.
Keep looks like the ordinary verb, so the s seems extra: for keep. But the phrase is fixed with s: for keeps, whether it's one thing or many.
For good also means forever, but it's about a change: leave for good, close for good. For keeps is about something that stays with you. For free means without paying, but a free thing can still be a loan.
Your turn
The gift does not need to be returned: It's yours for ___.
Show the answer
keeps — The gift doesn't need to be returned: it's yours for keeps, always with s.
Offer a friend something you no longer need to keep, using for keeps.
You can have the art supplies for keeps; I've switched to digital drawing.
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