Meaning trap
keep off
avoid discussing
to deliberately avoid mentioning, discussing, or raising a particular subject, often because it is sensitive, controversial, or inappropriate in the context.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to deliberately avoid mentioning, discussing, or raising a particular subject, often because it is sensitive, controversial, or inappropriate in the context.
'keep off' also has the more basic meaning 'avoid touching or stepping on'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Let's keep off the subject of money while we're at dinner.communication
- In group discussions, it is often wise to keep off controversial topics if you want to maintain a harmonious atmosphere.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: keep off + topic/subject
WrongLet's keep off from politics.
RightLet's keep off politics. / keep off the subject.
In this 'avoid a topic' sense, 'keep off' takes the subject directly — no 'from'.
Patternkeep off + topic/subject
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Keep off a topic' is the natural way to avoid a subject; 'refrain from broaching' is very formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
keep off + topicthe subjectpoliticsreligionthat
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense of 'keep off' (not touching or stepping on something physically), this sense is figurative and refers to avoiding a topic in conversation or discussion.
Related
- keep off (avoid touching or stepping on) — 'keep off' also has the more basic meaning 'avoid touching or stepping on'; this is the advanced sense.