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keep out

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keep out

 (of something)

1. Lit. to remain outside something or some place. You should keep out of the dark-room when the door is closed. The door is closed. Keep out!

2. Fig. to remain uninvolved with something. Keep out of this! It's my affair. It's not your affair. Keep out!

See also: keep, out

keep someone or something out

 (of something)

1. to prevent someone or something from getting into something or some place. Keep your kids out of my yard. She just couldn't keep herself out of the cookie jar.

2. to keep the subject of someone or something out of a discussion. Keep the kids out of this! I don't want to talk about them. They kept Dorothy out of the discussion.

See also: keep, out

keep out

v.

1. To prevent something or someone from entering a space: The lid keeps the flies out of the jar. I have a screen door to keep out stray animals.

2. To remain in an external place: I respect your privacy; I'll keep out of your room. There are a dangerous animals in that cage, so keep out!

3. keep out of To refrain from interfering with something, especially someone's affairs: I think they should keep out of our argument. Keep the children out of it.

4. keep out of To prevent someone from interfering with something: I tried to keep the children out of our family's problems.

See also: keep, out