keep things humming
make things hum
To cause thing to perform smoothly and efficiently.
Until Mr. Long joined our computer center, we had all sorts of problems, but he has corrected them and really keeps things humming.
keep time
keep good time
keep perfect time
To show the right time.
My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it.
Although this is a cheap watch, it keeps good time.
The old clock keeps perfect time; it’s never fast or slow.
To keep the beat; keep the same rhythm; keep in step.
Many people are surprised at how well deaf people keep time with the music when they dance.
keep track
To know about changes; stay informed or up-to-date; keep a count or record.
What day of the week is it? I can't keep track.
Usually used with of.
Mr. Stevens kept track of his business by telephone when he was in the hospital.
The farmer has so many chickens, he can hardly keep track of them all.
Steve keeps track of all the long-distance telephone calls related to his business that he makes from his house.
With seven small children, how do the Wilsons keep track of all of them?
keep under one's hat
To keep secret; not tell. Often used as a command.
Хранить секрет.
Mr. Jones knew who had won the contest, but he kept it under his hat until it was announced publicly.
Keep it under your hat.
My boss has promised me a promotion, but it's not official yet, so keep it under your hat.
Мой босс пообещал мне повышение, но пока это неофициально, так что держи это в тайне.
keep up appearances
To maintain an outward show of prosperity in spite of financial problems.
Делать хорошую мину при плохой игре.
Mr. Smith's widow had a hard time keeping up appearances after her husband's death.
He continued to keep up appearances even when business was bad.
Он продолжал сохранять лицо, даже когда дела пошли плохо.
keep up with the Joneses
To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors.
Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself.
keep up
To go on; not stop; continue.
The rain kept up for two days and the roads were flooded.
To go on with (something); continue steadily; never stop.
Mrs. Smith told John to keep up the good work.
The teacher asked Dick to stop bothering Mary, but he kept it up.
James is so proud of his daughter for getting mostly A’s in school. He’s certain that she can keep up the good work.
To go at the same rate as others.
John had to work hard to keep up.
Billy was the youngest boy on the hike, but he kept up with the others.
Frieda works so fast that no one in the office can keep up with her.
You’ll have to walk more slowly. I can’t keep up with you.
To keep (something) at the same level or rate or in good condition.
The shortage of tomatoes kept the prices up.
Grandfather was too poor to keep up his house.
If we can keep up this speed, we should arrive there in about two hours.
The Federal Reserve Bank hopes to keep the value of the dollar up at least through the rest of the year.
To keep informed. Usually used with on or with.
Mary is interested in politics and always keeps up with the news.
Evan keeps up with world affairs by reading a news magazine each week.
I understand a lot of the Spanish language, but I can’t keep up with the fast conversation in this Mexican film.
To prevent from sleeping.
Could you please turn down the TV volume? You’re keeping up the children.
keep watch
To be vigilant; be alert; guard.
The police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped convict.