keeps, kept, keeping

to keep away
phrasal verb

To prevent someone from approaching or entering
  • 1The fence is there to keep away intruders.
  • 2They put up a scarecrow to keep away the birds.
Stop a person from coming close or getting near a place or thing. Make sure someone does not go inside or touch something. For example, you can tell a child not to go near a hot stove to protect them from getting hurt.
Card
People often use "keep away" on warning signs, like at construction sites or near dangerous animals, to tell everyone not to go close for safety reasons.
at a busy transit hub
Navigating the Rush Hour
Melissa
It's so crowded here today, Charles.
Charles
Yeah, they put up barriers to keep away people from the construction area.
Melissa
That makes sense, it's for everyone's safety.
Charles
Exactly, let's stick to the marked paths.
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Similar to "to keep away":
  • 1deter
  • 2ward off