keep time
Verb
Meaning
To measure time.
To indicate the time correctly (of a timepiece).
How well does this old watch keep time?
Antonym: lose time
To make any regular rhythmical movements at the same time with others.
He couldn't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow, but he keeps time like a damn machine.
To control the beat or rhythm of a song played by a music group.
Isn't one of the conductor's main jobs to keep time?
(e.g. of a train) To maintain a schedule set out in a timetable.
Antonym: lose time
Related terms
Examples
One [method] is by a Watch to keep time exactly. But, by reason of the motion of the Ship, the Variation of Heat and Cold, Wet and Dry, and the Difference of Gravity in different Latitudes, such a watch hath not yet been made.
Faintly as tolls the evening chime, Our voices keep tune and our oars keep time.
Most of the people who will walk after me will be children, so make the beat keep time with short steps.
I can play a bunch of instruments but drums? My brothers a drummer and Ive always been jealous that hes such a good drummer. I always try to play but its always kinda just bashing. I can keep time but no one really wants to hear me play drums.
I started playing piano with a little band in high school. I was terrible. I thought I had absolutely no talent. I couldn't keep time. I only got into McGill, which was a lousy music school, because they were taking American music students.
The hands of Fate keep time on a heart-shaped watch." - Harkat Mulds(The Trials of Death)