keeps at
Refuses to quit
To keep at something is to persist with it despite difficulty or tedium: She kept at the problem until she solved it.
To keep at someone is to nag or pressure them repeatedly: His mother kept at him about cleaning his room.
Both senses share the idea of sustained, relentless effort or attention.
- persevereContinue despite obstacles
- hang in thereEndure through difficulty
- soldier onContinue despite difficulty
- persistContinue firmly onward
- carry onContinue doing something
drive · effort · toughness · resolve · stay the course · hold fast · willpower · doggedness · dedication · self-discipline · stick with · stick to it · plug away · grind it out · buckle down · dig in · endure · never give up
keeps atgives up
Ceases effort or resistance
quits · abandons · stops · surrenders · ceases
keeps atneglects
Fails to care for
ignores · forgets about · puts aside · disregards · leaves alone
keep, keeps, kept, keeping, keeper, keepers, keepable, upkeep, safekeeping