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Definition of For keeps
1. Adverb. For the winner to keep all. "They played for keeps"
Definition of For keeps
1. Adverb. (idiomatic gaming) With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives. ¹
2. Adverb. (idiomatic by extension informal) To compete seriously, with a strong resolve to win or succeed, as in sports or business. ¹
3. Adverb. (idiomatic informal) Permanently. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Lexicographical Neighbors of For Keeps
Literary usage of For keeps
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature by H.W. Wilson Company (1915)
"... for keeps. EW Sanborn. 11 Outing HC 42:25-Jl '15 Getting down to cases with
the dry fiy S: G. Camp. Outing 66:474-7 Jl '15 His ..."
2. An American Glossary by Richard Hopwood Thornton (1912)
"To play for keeps is to retain, on the winning side, what is played with. 1886 We...
.promise not to play marbles for keeps, nor bet nor gamble in any way. ..."
3. Letters and Letter Writing as Means to the Study and Practice of English by Charity Dye (1903)
"Some boys think they have as much right to play marbles for keeps as they have
... I think that when boys play marbles for keeps they are only getting ready ..."
4. Experimental Sociology. Descriptive and Analytical: Delinquents by Frances Kellor (1901)
"Playing marbles for keeps brought some interesting results. ... One boy was asked
if he played marbles for keeps and replied cheerily: " Sure I do. ..."
5. The Star Speaker: A Complete and Choice Collection of the Best Productions by Flora N. Kightlinger (1892)
"... to think how it would seem If nothing were misplaced; If the house were always
as still as this, How could she bear the loneliness ? PLAYING for keeps ..."
6. Shop Kinks and Machine-shop Chat: A Series of Over Five Hundred Practical by Robert Grimshaw (1896)
"... Anchoring Beams to Blocks is often called for; and when done it should be
done " for keeps." One very good way emanating from Sibley College in its ..."
7. The New England Farmer by Samuel W. Cole (1862)
"There are a great many little boys who arc in the habit of playing for keeps.
We hope they will not only read this story, but that they will resolve never ..."
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