Phrasal Verbs

keep on (2)

This page is about the phrasal verb keep on (2)

Meaning

If you keep somebody on, you continue to employ them.

Synonym

retain (formal)

For example

  • keep sb on If I could, I'd keep everybody on, but unfortunately we can't afford to pay all our staff at the moment.

  • keep on sb We'll do our best to keep on everyone who's been here for over five years.

  • be kept on Only the most important people were kept on while the company was being restructured.

Quick Quiz

The company couldn't keep everyone on, so some of their workers

a. had their salaries cut

b. lost their bonuses

c. lost their jobs
a) had their salaries cut b) lost their bonuses c) lost their jobs

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey