keep apart

• Mantener separados a dos o más personas o cosas, impidiendo que se toquen o se acerquen; mantener una distancia física o metafórica entre ellos.

To prevent two or more people or things from touching or coming together; to maintain a physical or metaphorical distance between them.

1. Separate physicallyB1formal

   To prevent things or people from touching or coming together.

   mantener separados

   • Keep the chemicals apart to avoid a dangerous reaction.
   • The teacher kept the two fighting students apart.
   • We need to keep the raw meat apart from the vegetables.

2. Maintain emotional distanceB2informal

   To avoid becoming emotionally involved or close with someone.

   mantener distancia emocional

   • After the argument, they decided to keep apart for a while.
   • She tries to keep her personal and professional life apart.
   • He kept himself apart from the group to avoid conflict.