maintain

/men'tein/

Thân thiện

The pianist maintains a steady tempo with the metronome.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To keep something in existence or in good condition: To continue to have or do something, or to keep something in its current state.
   • To provide support for someone or something: To supply with the necessities of life or to support an idea or argument.
   • To state something strongly as true: To assert or declare something, often in the face of opposition.

Usage and Examples

• To keep in existence or condition:
  • The city works hard to maintain the public parks.
  • It is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
• To provide support:
  • He works two jobs to maintain his family.
  • The lawyer maintained that her client was innocent.
• To state as true:
  • Throughout the trial, the defendant maintained his innocence.

Advanced Usage

• "To maintain order": To keep a situation under control and peaceful.
  • The police were called in to maintain order during the protest.
• "To maintain a low profile": To avoid attracting attention to oneself.
  • After the scandal, the politician tried to maintain a low profile.

Variants and Related Words

• Maintenance (n): The process of maintaining or the state of being maintained.
  • Regular maintenance is required for the machine to function properly.
• Maintainable (adj): Capable of being maintained.
  • The software code was written in a maintainable way.

Synonyms

• Preserve: To keep something in its original state or in good condition.
• Sustain: To support something physically or mentally over a long period.
• Uphold: To maintain or support a principle or law.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word 'maintain' does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "Maintain the status quo": To keep things the way they are, to resist change.
  • The conservative party's policy is to maintain the status quo.
• "Maintain one's composure": To stay calm and controlled, especially in a difficult situation.
  • Despite the intense questioning, she maintained her composure.

Học thuật

Verb

1. stick to correctly or closely
   • The pianist kept time with the metronome
   • keep count
   • I cannot keep track of all my employees
2. support against an opponent
   • The appellate court upheld the verdict
3. state or assert
   • He maintained his innocence
4. maintain by writing regular records
   • keep a diary
   • maintain a record
   • keep notes
5. maintain for use and service
   • I keep a car in the countryside
   • She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
6. have and exercise
   • wield power and authority
7. state categorically
8. 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
9. keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
   • We preserve these archeological findings
   • The old lady could not keep up the building
   • children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
   • The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
10. 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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• observe
• keep
• uphold
• defend
• wield
• exert
• assert
• asseverate
• sustain
• conserve
• preserve
• keep up
• hold