keep after (someone or something)
keep after (someone or something)
To consistently or persistently address a situation or remind and/or motivate someone to do something. If we don't keep after the accounting, we'll have too much work to do at the end of the quarter. My mom always kept after me to do my homework, and the work ethic that I formed has really paid off.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
keep after someone (about something)
and keep at someone (about something); keep on someone (about something); stay after someone (about something)to remind or nag someone over and over to do something. I'll keep after you until you do it! Mother stayed after Bill until he did the dishes. She kept at him until he dried them and put them away. We will have to keep on him about the report until he turns it in.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
keep after
Make a persistent effort regarding; also, persistently urge someone to do something. For example, We'll have to keep after the cobwebs, or He won't get anything done unless you keep after him. Also see keep at, def. 2.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.