keptkept /kept/ 
Longman Language Activatorwhat you say when someone or something is late
spoken say this when someone arrives very late and you want to know why, because you are worried or annoyed: · Where have you been? You said you'd be here at three!
spoken say this when someone arrives late and you are a little annoyed: · "What kept you?" "I couldn't find my glasses."
British /it's about time American spoken say this when someone or something arrives or does something late, and you are annoyed because you have been waiting a long time: · "Look, here's the bus." "It's about time!"
British spoken say this when you are annoyed with someone because they have arrived very late: · What time do you call this, Martin? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago.
spoken say this when someone or something arrives or does something late but it does not matter very much: · "The pictures have finally arrived." "Well, better late than never."
British say this when you suddenly realize that it is later than you thought it was: · Oh my god, is that the time? I've got to go!
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
He was kept alive on a life-support machine. The money kept him in clover for years. Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control. College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. I kept myself occupied by watching television. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet. They kept their relationship secret from their parents. A special team of police were kept on standby. The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside.
the past tense and past participle of keep He was kept alive on a life-support machine. The money kept him in clover for years. Owen’s goal kept England in contention. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control.· The men have been held in custody since they were arrested.
College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation. British English (also neat American English)· The hotel is set in a well-kept garden.
I kept myself occupied by watching television. He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers. The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days. I didn’t know anything about it so I just kept quiet. They kept their relationship secret from their parents. (=a secret that few people are allowed to know)· The recipe is a closely-guarded secret.
A special team of police were kept on standby. The suspects were kept under surveillance. They kept us in suspense for over two hours. His mother kept a tight hold on his hand. Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter’s hospital bedside.