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3. keep after

keep after

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keep after someone (about something)

 and keep at someone (about something); keep on someone (about something); stay after someone (about something)

to remind or nag someone over and over to do something. I'll keep after you until you do it! Mother stayed after Bill until he did the dishes. She kept at him until he dried them and put them away. We will have to keep on him about the report until he turns it in.

See also: after, keep

keep after somebody/something

to continually remind someone to do something She kept after her former husband's lawyer with letters and phone calls but still didn't receive a response.

See also: after, keep

keep after

Make a persistent effort regarding; also, persistently urge someone to do something. For example, We'll have to keep after the cobwebs, or He won't get anything done unless you keep after him. Also see keep at, def. 2.

See also: after, keep