Keep away means to stay at a distance and not go near something (keep away from something), or to stop something coming near (keep something away). The first meaning is common in warnings and advice: Keep away from the fire. The second is about something that stops unwanted things coming close: a net keeps insects away. Stay away from means the same.
Want to use keep away in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
keep away from + person/place/thing; keep + something/someone + away (from + …)
- Visitors must keep away from the machines while they are running.
- I try to keep away from sweets during the week, but not at weekends.
- We hung a net over the balcony door to keep insects away.
What changed
First versionPlease hold away from the edge of the platform.
RevisionPlease keep away from the edge of the platform.
Hold is not the verb for keeping your distance. Hold means to have something in your hands or to keep something in place. To stay at a distance, English uses keep: keep away from the edge, keep your distance.
Keep off means not to step on a surface, or to avoid something: Keep off the grass, keep off sugar. Keep away from means to stay at a distance from a person, animal or place: Keep away from the dog. After keep off, you don't need from.
Your turn
Our neighbour's dog sometimes bites, so ___ from it when you walk past the gate.
Show the answer
keep away — The gap is followed by from, and only keep away goes with it: stay away from the dog. Keep off doesn't take from and means not stepping on something, which doesn't work for a dog.
Write some advice for a new colleague or a guest: what they should keep away from and why.
Keep away from the coffee machine on the second floor because it often leaks hot water.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.