Keep vs. Toss — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Keep implies retaining possession or maintaining something, while toss suggests throwing something away or discarding it.
Difference Between Keep and Toss
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Keeping something often indicates a decision to hold onto an item, idea, or practice due to its value, utility, or emotional significance. On the other hand, tossing something away implies a decision to discard it, often because it's deemed unnecessary, redundant, or no longer valuable.
When deciding to keep an item, considerations might include its usefulness, sentimental value, or potential future need, reflecting a deliberate choice to preserve it. Conversely, the decision to toss is typically driven by the desire to declutter, remove waste, or make space, signaling that the item no longer serves a positive purpose.
The act of keeping can contribute to accumulating possessions or ideas that can either enrich one's life or, when excessive, lead to clutter and disorganization. Tossing, especially when done thoughtfully and responsibly, can contribute to a sense of order, simplicity, and even environmental sustainability by reducing waste.
In a broader sense, keeping and tossing are not just physical actions but can also apply to non-material concepts such as ideas, habits, or relationships. One might choose to keep (maintain or uphold) certain beliefs or practices while tossing (abandoning or rejecting) others that no longer align with one's values or goals.
The balance between keeping and tossing is often influenced by personal values, lifestyle choices, and cultural or societal norms. Finding the right equilibrium can lead to a more organized, purposeful, and fulfilling life, whether in a physical, intellectual, or emotional context.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To retain possession or maintain something
To throw something away or discard it
Implications
Value, utility, emotional significance
Redundancy, lack of necessity, desire to declutter
Decision Factors
Usefulness, sentimental value, future need
Desire to declutter, lack of value, making space
Outcomes
Can enrich life or lead to clutter
Contributes to order, simplicity, environmental sustainability
Broader Application
Applies to ideas, habits, relationships
Also applies to non-material concepts like beliefs, habits
Cultural Influence
Influenced by personal, cultural values
Reflects lifestyle choices, societal norms
Compare with Definitions
Keep
Retaining something based on its value or usefulness.
She decided to keep the heirloom despite the offers to sell it.
Toss
Rejecting outdated ideas or harmful habits.
She tossed the idea that she needed to please everyone.
Keep
Maintaining certain habits, beliefs, or relationships.
She kept her morning meditation routine as it brought her peace.
Toss
Contributing to a simpler, more organized lifestyle.
Tossing unused items from the attic brought a sense of order to their home.
Keep
Holding onto items with emotional significance.
He couldn't toss his grandfather's watch and kept it as a memento.
Toss
Discarding something deemed unnecessary or redundant.
The broken chair was finally tossed after taking up space for months.
Keep
Keeping items that are useful or might be needed later.
They kept their camping gear organized for future trips.
Toss
Removing items to declutter and make space.
During spring cleaning, many old clothes were tossed to make room for new ones.
Keep
Balancing enrichment against the risk of clutter.
Keeping every art project from her children's school years added warmth to their home but also clutter.
Toss
Responsibly discarding items to reduce waste.
Tossing electronics required finding an appropriate recycling facility.
Keep
A keep (from the Middle English kype) is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.
Toss
To throw lightly or casually or with a sudden jerk
Tossed the shirt on the floor.
Keep
To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.
Toss
To throw or propel upward
The bull tossed him over the fence.
Keep
To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.
Toss
To throw or propel to the ground
The horse tossed its rider.
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Toss
To cause to move from side to side or up and down
Boats that were tossed by the storm.
Keep
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Toss
To move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion.
Keep
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.
Toss
To mix (food) lightly so as to cover with dressing or sauce
Toss a salad.
Keep
To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.
Toss
To discuss informally; bandy
Tossed the idea around.
Keep
To raise
Keep chickens.
Toss
To flip (coins) in order to decide an issue.
Keep
To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.
Toss
To flip coins with
I'll toss you to see who goes first.
Keep
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.
Toss
To put in a given position, condition, or situation
Tossed the suspect in jail.
Keep
To preserve (food).
Toss
To throw away; discard
I tossed the newspaper after reading it.
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Toss
To disqualify or eject
The starter was tossed for throwing illegal pitches.
Keep
To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.
Toss
To be thrown here and there; be flung to and fro or up and down
The canoe tossed about on the waves.
Keep
To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.
Toss
To move about restlessly; twist and turn
Toss in one's sleep.
Keep
To detain
Was kept after school.
Toss
To flip a coin to decide an issue.
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Toss
The act of tossing something
The toss of a hat.
Keep
To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.
Toss
The distance that something is or can be tossed.
Keep
To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.
Toss
An abrupt upward movement, as of the head.
Keep
To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.
Toss
A flipping of a coin to decide an issue
The home team won the toss and elected to receive.
Keep
To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.
Toss
A throw, a lob, of a ball etc., with an initial upward direction, particularly with a lack of care.
Keep
To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.
Toss
The coin toss before a cricket match in order to decide who bats first, or before a football match in order to decide the direction of play.
Keep
To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.
Toss
A haughty throwing up of the head.
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Toss
(British slang) A jot, in the phrase 'give a toss'.
I couldn't give a toss about her.
Keep
To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.
Toss
(British slang) A state of agitation; commotion.
Keep
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.
Toss
Concern or consideration.
I don't give a toss.
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Toss
A measure of sprats.
Keep
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.
Toss
To throw with an initial upward direction.
Toss it over here!
Keep
The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.
Toss
To lift with a sudden or violent motion.
To toss the head
Keep
The stronghold of a castle.
Toss
To agitate; to make restless.
Keep
A jail.
Toss
To subject to trials; to harass.
Keep
To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession
Toss
To flip a coin, to decide a point of contention.
We should toss for it.
I'll toss you for it.
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Toss
To discard; to throw away.
I don't need it any more; you can just toss it.
Keep
(transitive) To hold the status of something.
Toss
To stir or mix (a salad).
To toss a salad; a tossed salad.
Keep
To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.
Toss
(British slang) To masturbate
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Toss
To search (a room or a cell), sometimes leaving visible disorder, as for valuables or evidence of a crime.
Keep
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Toss
(intransitive) To roll and tumble; to be in violent commotion.
Tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep
Keep
(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.
Toss
(intransitive) To be tossed, as a fleet on the ocean, or as a ship in heavy seas.
Keep
To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.
Toss
(obsolete) To keep in play; to tumble over.
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Toss
(rowing) To peak (the oars), to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat.
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Toss
(British slang) To drink in large draughts; to gulp.
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Toss
To vomit.
Keep
To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).
Toss
To throw with the hand; especially, to throw with the palm of the hand upward, or to throw upward; as, to toss a ball.
Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Toss
To lift or throw up with a sudden or violent motion; as, to toss the head.
He tossed his arm aloft, and proudly told me,He would not stay.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Toss
To cause to rise and fall; as, a ship tossed on the waves in a storm.
We being exceedingly tossed with a tempest.
Keep
(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
Toss
To agitate; to make restless.
Calm region once,And full of peace, now tossed and turbulent.
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Toss
Hence, to try; to harass.
Whom devils fly, thus is he tossed of men.
Keep
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.
Toss
To keep in play; to tumble over; as, to spend four years in tossing the rules of grammar.
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Toss
To roll and tumble; to be in violent commotion; to write; to fling.
To toss and fling, and to be restless, only frets and enrages our pain.
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Toss
To be tossed, as a fleet on the ocean.
Keep
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Toss
A throwing upward, or with a jerk; the act of tossing; as, the toss of a ball.
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Toss
A throwing up of the head; a particular manner of raising the head with a jerk.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Toss
The act of flipping a coin
Keep
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.
Toss
(sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team;
The pass was fumbled
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Toss
An abrupt movement;
A toss of his head
Keep
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Toss
Throw or toss with a light motion;
Flip me the beachball
Toss me newspaper
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Toss
Lightly throw to see which side comes up;
I don't know what to do--I may as well flip a coin!
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Toss
Throw carelessly;
Chuck the ball
Keep
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
Toss
Move or stir about violently;
The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Toss
Throw or cast away;
Put away your worries
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Toss
Agitate;
Toss the salad
Keep
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Keep
To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].
Keep
To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.
Keep
To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.
Keep
To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Keep
To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.
Keep
To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Keep
To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Keep
To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Keep
To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.
Keep
To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.
Keep
To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.
Keep
To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.
Keep
To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Keep
To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.
Keep
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Keep
The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.
Keep
That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Keep
A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.
Keep
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
Keep
The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Keep
A cell in a jail or prison
Keep
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Keep
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Keep
Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Keep
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Keep
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Keep
Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Keep
Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you
Keep
Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Keep
Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?
Keep
Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Keep
Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school
Keep
Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh
Common Curiosities
Can keeping too many items have negative effects?
Yes, keeping too many items can lead to clutter and disorganization, potentially causing stress and reducing the functionality of living spaces.
How can I responsibly toss items that are no longer needed?
Responsible disposal includes recycling, selling, donating items in good condition, or using community resources designed for waste reduction.
What should I consider before tossing something?
Before tossing something, consider its environmental impact, potential for donation or recycling, and whether it might have value or use to someone else.
What role do cultural norms play in decisions to keep or toss?
Cultural norms can significantly influence decisions to keep or toss, as they shape perceptions of value, waste, and the importance of simplicity or minimalism.
Is it possible to find a balance between keeping and tossing?
Finding a balance involves thoughtful consideration of each item's value and impact on your life, aiming for a harmonious blend of simplicity, functionality, and sentimentality.
Can the process of deciding to keep or toss change over time?
Yes, personal values, life circumstances, and societal trends can all influence how individuals view possessions and ideas, potentially changing their approach to keeping or tossing over time.
How do I decide whether to keep or toss an item?
Deciding whether to keep or toss an item involves evaluating its usefulness, sentimental value, and potential future need versus the benefits of decluttering and making space.
How does the concept of keeping or tossing apply to non-material things?
In terms of non-material things like ideas or habits, keeping involves maintaining those that are beneficial or meaningful, while tossing involves letting go of those that are harmful or no longer serve a positive purpose.
How can tossing items contribute to environmental sustainability?
Tossing items responsibly, through recycling or donating, can reduce waste and promote the reuse of resources, contributing to environmental sustainability.
What psychological effects can decluttering have?
Decluttering can lead to reduced stress, increased focus, and a greater sense of control and satisfaction in one's environment.
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Blooming vs. FlourishingAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
