keeps around

Holds onto still

To keep something or someone around is to retain them, usually for occasional use or convenience rather than constant need.

You might keep around an old jacket that still fits, or a friend who's useful in certain situations: I keep him around because he's good with computers.

The phrase often implies the kept thing isn't essential but serves a purpose.

Related

good company · accessible · close at hand · within reach · handy · loyalty · nearby · friendship · reachable · familiarity · safeguard · entourage · trust · usable · nostalgia · convenient · obtainable · hoard

Opposites
retention vs. disposal

keeps aroundthrows away

Disposes of as refuse

discards · gets rid of · tosses out · ditches · throws out

presence vs. absence

keeps aroundsends away

Causes to depart

removes · eliminates · banishes · drives away · pushes away

employment/relationship retention

keeps aroundlets go

Relinquishes hold, or urges haste

fires · terminates · dismisses · releases · lays off

Family

keep, around, keeps, kept, keeping, keeper, keepers, keepable, upkeep

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G