keep by

keep someone or something by someone

to make someone or something stay next to someone. Try to keep the twins by you until we have taken a few more pictures. Please keep this package by you until we are ready to present it.See also: by, keep

keep something by

to keep something handy; to keep something in reserve, ready to be used. Keep this extra glue by in case you need it. This money had been kept by for just such an emergency.See also: by, keep