keep out

Meaning

This expression means to prevent someone or something from entering a place, or to remain outside of a specific area. It is very common on warning signs or when setting boundaries for privacy and safety.

Examples

• The sign on the gate clearly said 'Private Property: Keep Out'.

  The sign on the gate clearly said 'Private Property: Keep Out'.

• We need to put up a fence to keep out the neighbor's dogs.

  We need to put up a fence to keep out the neighbor's dogs.

• My little brother always forgets to keep out of my bedroom.

  My little brother always forgets to keep out of my bedroom.

• Close the windows to keep the cold air out tonight.

  Close the windows to keep the cold air out tonight.

• This yellow tape is used by police to keep out the public.

  This yellow tape is used by police to keep out the public.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please keep out from the room.

  ✓ Please keep out of the room.

  Use the preposition 'of' after 'keep out' when specifying the place you should not enter.

• ✗ The sign says 'keep outside'.

  ✓ The sign says 'keep out'.

  'Keep out' is the standard idiomatic phrasal verb used on warning signs, not 'keep outside'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• There is a warning sign on the door that says '___'.

  💡 do not enter

  Show answer

  keep out

• We should lock the shed to ___ the kids.

  💡 prevent from entering

  Show answer

  keep out