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3. keep by

keep by

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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: 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: keep