keep
kiːp
hold is the grab; keep is the not-letting-go
The picture Once you have it, you don't let go — the thing stays exactly as it is while time passes. KEEP leaves something as it is as time passes; HOLD grips it right now.
Where the picture shows up in keep
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don't hand it back
You can keep the change.
juː kən kiːp ðə tʃeɪndʒ
Keep the change.
The change you were handed staying with you instead of going back across.
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hold the state steady
Keep the door closed, please.
kiːp ðə dɔːr kloʊzd pliːz
Please leave the door shut.
A closed door staying closed instead of swinging open again.
keep + state pictures you pressing down on that state so it can't spring back.
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the action doesn't break
He keeps calling me.
hiː kiːps ˈkɔːlɪŋ miː
He phones me over and over.
A phone that rings, and then rings again, and again, never settling.
keep + -ing means the same action runs on without stopping.
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leave it in that spot
Keep this in the fridge.
kiːp ðɪs ɪn ðə frɪdʒ
Store this in the fridge.
This item sitting in the same spot in the fridge, hour after hour.
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hold someone in a state
Sorry to keep you waiting.
ˈsɑːri tuː kiːp juː ˈweɪtɪŋ
Sorry for the wait.
Someone left standing in the waiting position for a long time.
All of it in one picture
keep is holding a shape steady while time goes by. Change that stays on your side instead of coming back means you may keep it; a door that stays shut instead of swinging open means keep it closed. A call that comes again and again means he keeps calling; an item that stays in the same spot in the fridge means keep it there; and a person left standing in the waiting position means you kept them waiting. Everywhere keep appears, time has passed and the picture has not changed.