Keep afloat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep afloat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of maintaining a state of stability or survival, often in challenging situations. Example: "During the economic downturn, our main goal is to keep afloat and ensure the business survives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that more specialty divisions keep afloat.

The New York Times

"Families are already struggling to keep afloat," Mr. Blagojevich said.

The New York Times

3) Spanish banks are even more dependent on European Central Bank funding to keep afloat.

The Guardian - Business

He swam around encouraging his fellow sailors to keep afloat and not despair.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to stay out past 10 p.m. when you've got a country to keep afloat.

The Washington Post

Scotland's other three ski areas are also struggling to keep afloat.

The Guardian

They realised that, to keep afloat, they had to do something different".

The Guardian

"Funny thing is," said Mr. Pendergrass, "we keep afloat by catering to the third-world clientele.

The New York Times

Still, Dr. Mote says, universities can simply keep raising tuition to keep afloat.

The New York Times

"The goal is to stay ad-free and to keep afloat," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

When payment was due two weeks later, she needed another loan to keep afloat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep afloat" when you want to emphasize the effort required to maintain a stable position, especially in challenging circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "keep afloat" in situations where something is thriving or easily succeeding. The phrase implies a struggle against difficulties, so it's not appropriate for describing effortless success.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep afloat" is as a verb phrase, often used intransitively to describe the act of maintaining stability or solvency. Ludwig shows its usage in diverse contexts, from financial struggles to physical survival.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep afloat" is a verb phrase that signifies the act of maintaining stability or solvency, especially when facing challenges. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. It is versatile, serving to convey both financial struggles and broader survival efforts. To enhance your writing, remember that "keep afloat" implies an ongoing struggle, so avoid using it in contexts of effortless success. Consider alternatives like "stay solvent" or "weather the storm" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stay afloat

A direct synonym, but offers a slight variation in phrasing.

Keep your head above water

Idiomatic expression indicating struggling to manage difficulties or responsibilities.

Weather the storm

Implies enduring a difficult period or crisis.

Stay solvent

Focuses specifically on financial stability.

Maintain stability

Highlights the act of preserving an equilibrium or steady state.

Make ends meet

Specifically refers to managing finances to cover expenses.

Remain viable

Emphasizes the ability to continue operating or functioning effectively.

Survive

Highlights the struggle to overcome difficult circumstances.

Continue to function

Focuses on the ability to operate effectively despite challenges.

Keep going

A more general term indicating perseverance and continued effort.

FAQs

What does "keep afloat" mean?

The phrase "keep afloat" means to maintain a position of stability, survival, or solvency, especially when facing difficulties or challenges.

How can I use "keep afloat" in a sentence?

You can use "keep afloat" to describe efforts to maintain financial stability (e.g., "The company took out a loan to keep afloat") or to survive a difficult situation (e.g., "They struggled to keep afloat after the job loss").

What can I say instead of "keep afloat"?

You can use alternatives like "stay solvent", "remain viable", or "weather the storm" depending on the context.

Is "stay afloat" the same as "keep afloat"?

"Stay afloat" and "keep afloat" are largely synonymous and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. Both phrases imply maintaining a position of stability or survival amidst challenges.