keep out — prevent entry
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to stop someone or something from entering a place or area.
Say it like a native
Textbook Unauthorised persons are prohibited from entering.
Native Keep out — staff only.
'Keep out' is the standard sign; the long version is officialese.
Pattern: keep out (of something) | keep someone/something out (of something)
In use
- The sign on the gate says 'Keep Out' to stop people from entering the construction site.daily life
- In my hometown, there are some private beaches where fences are used to keep out people who don't live in the area.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ This fence keeps out the animals from the garden.
✓ This fence keeps the animals out of the garden.
With an object, it splits: 'keep something out of a place'.
Common collocations
keep out (of)— of, intruders, the cold, trouble
Don't confuse it
'Keep out' is about stopping others from entering; 'stay out' is about not entering yourself.