keep time

keep time
keep time
1. Lit. to maintain a musical rhythm. •

Bob had to drop out of the band because he couldn't keep time.

•

Since he can't keep time, he can't march, and he can't play the drums.

2. Fig. to keep watch over the time in a game or an athletic contest. •

Ann kept time at all the basketball games.

•

Whoever keeps time has to watch the referee very carefully.

3. Fig. [for a clock or a watch] to keep track of time accurately. •

This watch doesn't keep time.

•

My other watch kept time better.

* * *
{v. phr.} 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. 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./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • keep time — {v. phr.} 1. To show the right time. * /My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it./ 2. 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./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep time — 1. To observe rhythm accurately, or along with others 2. (of a clock or watch) to go accurately • • • Main Entry: ↑keep keep time 1. To run accurately, like a clock (also keep good time) 2. To move or perform in the same rhythm 3. To record times …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep time — ► keep time play or accompany music in time. Main Entry: ↑time …   English terms dictionary

  • keep\ time — v. phr. 1. To show the right time. My watch has not kept good time since I dropped it. 2. 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 …   Словарь американских идиом

  • keep time — 1) show the right time My new watch keeps perfect time so I am very happy. 2) keep the beat, keep the same rhythm It is difficult for him to keep time with the other members of the band but at least he tries …   Idioms and examples

  • keep time — 1) if a clock keeps good time, it always shows the correct time 2) music if a musician keeps time, they play a piece of music at the correct speed and beat 3) if you keep time for a musician, you show them what the correct speed and beat are for… …   English dictionary

  • keep time — 1. to stay even with a musical beat. Many in the crowd swayed and kept time to the music by tapping their feet. 2. to record how long something has taken. When I go running I like to keep time on my watch …   New idioms dictionary

  • keep time — play or rhythmically accompany music in time. → time …   English new terms dictionary

  • keep time — idi a) to record time, as a watch or clock does b) to mark or observe the tempo, as by performing rhythmic movements …   From formal English to slang

  • keep — [kēp] vt. kept, keeping [ME kepen < OE cœpan, to behold, watch out for, lay hold of, akin to MLowG kapen, ON kopa, to stare at < ? IE base * ĝab , to look at or for] 1. to observe or pay regard to; specif., a) to observe with due or… …   English World dictionary

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