keep at the foot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep at the foot" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where one is instructing someone to maintain a position or to keep something at the lower part of a page or document. Example: "Please keep at the foot of the page any additional notes or references."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The light winter blanket I keep at the foot of my bed when the autumn leaves begin to color came from a tent in India.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Once a hitter enters the batter's box, he will be required to keep at least one foot in the box until the end of his at-bat.

The New Yorker

By Jay Martel April 3, 2015 Once a hitter enters the batter's box, he will be required to keep at least one foot in the box until the end of his at-bat.

The New Yorker

MLB and the players' association agreed this year to enforce the rule requiring a hitter to keep at least one foot in the batter's box in many cases, and they also agreed to post stadium clocks timing pitching changes and between-inning breaks.

Los Angeles Times

There are no rules about how to roll a wood other than that you have to keep at least one foot on the mat.

The Guardian - Travel

In the most controversial change, umpires will enforce a rule requiring hitters to keep at least one foot in the batter's box when they are at bat, in order to cut down on the repeated lulls between pitches, which can often stretch as long as thirty seconds.

The New Yorker

Normally, we wouldn't stoop to insults a fifth-grader might hurl on a playground here, because even if we are dedicated to the proposition that Democrats can effectively use taunting as talking points -- as effectively as Republicans, even! -- we usually try to keep at least one foot out of the gutter while doing so.

Huffington Post

Most billiards games require you to keep at least 1 foot (0.3 m) on the floor when shooting.

WikiHow

"They abducted us and kept us at the foot of a sand dune for 20 days.

The Guardian

"I can tell a joke and sing and dance a little, but not all that well," Mr. Kreutzberger said somewhat apologetically during an interview at an apartment he keeps here at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

The New York Times - Arts

Keep at least two feet between the sides of the bed and the wall or other furniture.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep at the foot", ensure the context clearly indicates a physical location or a position of lesser importance. Consider whether alternatives like "at the bottom" or "at the base" might be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "keep at the foot" in contexts where a more common phrase like "keep at the bottom" would be more readily understood. Always prioritize clarity over adherence to a specific phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep at the foot" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb to indicate location or position. It describes where something is maintained, typically at the lower part of something, similar to the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep at the foot" serves to indicate maintaining something in a lower or less prominent position, often in a physical context. While acceptable, as indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively uncommon, with a more prevalent use in news and media sources. For clarity and broader understanding, considering alternatives such as ""place at the end"" or ""retain at the lower part"" may be beneficial. While grammatically sound, prioritizing common language ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

situate at the foot

Emphasizes locating something at the final part, which can be analogous to the foot of something.

retain at the lower part

Replaces "foot" with a more general term "lower part", while still implying the same positional meaning.

maintain at the base

Focuses on maintaining something at the lowest part or foundation, changing the specific wording.

position at the foundation

Uses the term "foundation" to indicate the lowest point, similar to the "foot" of something.

hold at the bottom

Suggests holding something in a lower location, which is a similar concept to keeping it there.

store at the bottom

Suggests storing something in a lower location, which is a similar concept to keeping it there.

leave at the base

Focuses on leaving something at the lowest part or foundation, changing the specific wording.

place at the end

Emphasizes placing something at the final part, which can be analogous to the foot of something.

reserve for the base

Suggests reserving something for the lowest part or foundation, changing the specific wording.

station at the base

Suggests placing something at the lowest part or foundation, changing the specific wording.

FAQs

What does "keep at the foot" mean?

"Keep at the foot" generally means to maintain something in a lower or less prominent position, often referring to the base or bottom of an object or list. It suggests maintaining something at the end.

When is it appropriate to use "keep at the foot"?

It's appropriate to use "keep at the foot" when you want to emphasize that something should remain in a lower or less visible position. In alternative you can "place at the end" or "retain at the lower part", in order to be more common to other's understanding.

What are some alternatives to "keep at the foot"?

Some alternatives include "maintain at the base", "store at the bottom", or ""place at the end"", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "keep at the foot" formal or informal?

The phrase "keep at the foot" leans toward a neutral to slightly formal register. A more common phrase may be preferred in informal contexts, whereas ""retain at the lower part"" or "maintain at the base" may be preferred.