Sometimes life gets hard. Maybe you’re doing a tough homework assignment or learning something new. It can feel easier to stop. But there are ways to talk about not giving up, and that’s where idioms come in. Idioms are special phrases that mean something different from the words you see. They can help you say things in a more colorful or interesting way.
In this lesson, we will learn idioms that show how people keep going, even when things are hard. These phrases can help you express strength, effort, and patience in daily life. Whether you’re cheering on a friend or reminding yourself to stay strong, these idioms can come in handy. Let’s explore them together.
Idioms for Keep Going
1. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay strong even when things are tough.
Sample Sentences: Keep your chin up during the hard test. / She told me to keep my chin up after I lost the game.
Other Way to Say: Stay strong / Don’t give up
2. Hang in there
Meaning: Keep trying even when it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: Hang in there, math will get easier. / He told me to hang in there during practice.
Other Way to Say: Keep trying / Don’t quit
3. Stick with it
Meaning: Keep doing something even if it’s difficult.
Sample Sentences: Stick with it and you’ll finish your puzzle. / She stuck with it and learned how to ride a bike.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Don’t stop
4. Keep at it
Meaning: Continue working hard.
Sample Sentences: Keep at it until you master the song. / I kept at it and finished my book.
Other Way to Say: Work hard / Keep trying
5. Push through
Meaning: Keep going even when it’s tough.
Sample Sentences: He pushed through the last lap. / I had to push through my fear of swimming.
Other Way to Say: Don’t stop / Keep moving
6. Soldier on
Meaning: Keep moving forward even if it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: She soldiered on through the storm. / He soldiered on with the school play.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Keep trying
7. Press on
Meaning: Keep moving forward with effort.
Sample Sentences: We pressed on through the trail. / She pressed on with her homework.
Other Way to Say: Move ahead / Keep trying
8. Power through
Meaning: Keep doing something hard until it’s done.
Sample Sentences: He powered through the long book. / I powered through my chores.
Other Way to Say: Push through / Finish strong
9. Don’t give up
Meaning: Keep trying and don’t stop.
Sample Sentences: Don’t give up on your dreams. / I didn’t give up even when it was tough.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Try again
10. Keep on truckin’
Meaning: Keep going with steady effort.
Sample Sentences: He keeps on truckin’ with his homework. / Keep on truckin’ through the week.
Other Way to Say: Keep moving / Don’t stop
11. Keep plugging away
Meaning: Keep working slowly and steadily.
Sample Sentences: She kept plugging away at the big puzzle. / I kept plugging away at my art project.
Other Way to Say: Work little by little / Keep trying
12. Bounce back
Meaning: Get up and keep going after something hard.
Sample Sentences: I bounced back after falling off my bike. / He bounced back from a bad grade.
Other Way to Say: Recover / Try again
13. Stay the course
Meaning: Keep going in the same direction.
Sample Sentences: Stay the course until you finish the race. / She stayed the course with her training.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Stick with it
14. See it through
Meaning: Finish something you started.
Sample Sentences: I saw it through to the end. / She saw the project through even though it was hard.
Other Way to Say: Finish it / Don’t stop now
15. Ride it out
Meaning: Keep going through a tough time.
Sample Sentences: We rode it out during the storm. / He rode it out until the end of practice.
Other Way to Say: Stick with it / Stay strong
16. Go the distance
Meaning: Keep going until you finish.
Sample Sentences: She went the distance in the race. / I went the distance on my essay.
Other Way to Say: Finish strong / Keep going
17. Stay strong
Meaning: Keep being brave and not giving up.
Sample Sentences: Stay strong during the test. / I stayed strong after losing the game.
Other Way to Say: Keep your chin up / Be brave
18. Pull through
Meaning: Get better after something tough.
Sample Sentences: He pulled through after getting sick. / I pulled through the hard class.
Other Way to Say: Make it through / Get past it
19. Weather the storm
Meaning: Get through a hard time.
Sample Sentences: We weathered the storm together. / She weathered the storm at school.
Other Way to Say: Get through it / Stay steady
20. Never say die
Meaning: Never stop trying.
Sample Sentences: He never says die, even when it’s hard. / I won because I never said die.
Other Way to Say: Keep trying / Don’t give up
21. Tough it out
Meaning: Stay strong until it’s over.
Sample Sentences: We tough it out during long hikes. / I had to tough it out at practice.
Other Way to Say: Be strong / Stick with it
22. Dig deep
Meaning: Try harder when it gets hard.
Sample Sentences: I dug deep during the last lap. / She had to dig deep on the test.
Other Way to Say: Try harder / Find your strength
23. Stay in the game
Meaning: Keep trying and don’t quit.
Sample Sentences: Stay in the game even if it’s tough. / He stayed in the game after falling.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Don’t stop
24. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Keep working late to get it done.
Sample Sentences: She burned the midnight oil to finish homework. / I burned the midnight oil before the test.
Other Way to Say: Work late / Keep going
25. Move forward
Meaning: Keep going and don’t look back.
Sample Sentences: Move forward from your mistake. / Let’s move forward and keep learning.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Go ahead
26. On the grind
Meaning: Working hard all the time.
Sample Sentences: He’s on the grind with his schoolwork. / I stay on the grind before tests.
Other Way to Say: Working hard / Keep at it
27. Full steam ahead
Meaning: Move forward with all your energy.
Sample Sentences: We went full steam ahead with the project. / It’s full steam ahead for the play.
Other Way to Say: Go all in / Give it your best
28. Stay with it
Meaning: Keep doing it without quitting.
Sample Sentences: Stay with it, you’re almost done! / I stayed with it until the end.
Other Way to Say: Don’t give up / Keep going
29. Keep your head down
Meaning: Focus and keep working.
Sample Sentences: He kept his head down and finished the puzzle. / I kept my head down during testing.
Other Way to Say: Stay focused / Keep working
30. Don’t throw in the towel
Meaning: Don’t quit.
Sample Sentences: Don’t throw in the towel, you can do it! / I almost gave up but didn’t throw in the towel.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Stay strong
31. One step at a time
Meaning: Go slowly but keep moving.
Sample Sentences: I finished the hike one step at a time. / She learned piano one step at a time.
Other Way to Say: Slowly keep going / Bit by bit
32. Get back on the horse
Meaning: Try again after a mistake.
Sample Sentences: I got back on the horse after falling. / He got back on the horse after failing the quiz.
Other Way to Say: Try again / Don’t give up
33. Carry on
Meaning: Keep going even if it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: We carried on through the rain. / I carried on with my reading.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Move ahead
34. Stay the path
Meaning: Keep going the same way.
Sample Sentences: Stay the path until you reach the goal. / I stayed the path with my goal.
Other Way to Say: Keep on / Don’t stop
35. Hold on
Meaning: Keep going and don’t give up.
Sample Sentences: Hold on, it’ll get better. / I held on through the hard test.
Other Way to Say: Stay strong / Keep trying
36. Keep rolling
Meaning: Keep moving forward.
Sample Sentences: We kept rolling through the class trip. / I kept rolling with my chores.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Move ahead
37. Stay focused
Meaning: Keep your attention and keep going.
Sample Sentences: Stay focused during the game. / I stayed focused on my goal.
Other Way to Say: Pay attention / Keep at it
38. Keep your eye on the prize
Meaning: Stay focused on your goal.
Sample Sentences: Keep your eye on the prize and finish strong. / She kept her eye on the prize all year.
Other Way to Say: Stay focused / Go for it
39. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than expected.
Sample Sentences: He went the extra mile with his project. / I went the extra mile on my report.
Other Way to Say: Work harder / Do your best
40. Break through
Meaning: Keep going until you succeed.
Sample Sentences: I broke through my fear of speaking. / She broke through a tough lesson.
Other Way to Say: Get past it / Keep trying
41. Step up
Meaning: Take action and try harder.
Sample Sentences: He stepped up during the game. / I stepped up to help clean.
Other Way to Say: Take charge / Try hard
42. Rise to the challenge
Meaning: Do your best when it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: She rose to the challenge of the spelling bee. / I rose to the challenge at camp.
Other Way to Say: Do your best / Show courage
43. Make it happen
Meaning: Do what needs to be done.
Sample Sentences: He made it happen by working hard. / I made it happen with my science project.
Other Way to Say: Get it done / Take action
44. Power ahead
Meaning: Move forward with energy.
Sample Sentences: I powered ahead with my reading. / She powered ahead in the race.
Other Way to Say: Keep moving / Go forward
45. Stay in motion
Meaning: Keep doing something.
Sample Sentences: Stay in motion until the task is done. / I stayed in motion during gym class.
Other Way to Say: Keep moving / Don’t stop
46. Keep grinding
Meaning: Keep working hard.
Sample Sentences: He keeps grinding with his basketball practice. / I keep grinding at school.
Other Way to Say: Keep at it / Don’t quit
47. Keep climbing
Meaning: Keep trying to reach your goal.
Sample Sentences: I kept climbing until I reached the top. / She kept climbing in her learning.
Other Way to Say: Don’t stop / Keep going up
48. Just keep swimming
Meaning: Keep going no matter what.
Sample Sentences: Just keep swimming through your tough day. / I just kept swimming through the project.
Other Way to Say: Keep moving / Don’t give up
49. Keep walking
Meaning: Keep making progress.
Sample Sentences: Keep walking toward your dreams. / I kept walking through the busy day.
Other Way to Say: Move forward / Stay steady
50. Don’t lose steam
Meaning: Don’t get tired and stop.
Sample Sentences: I didn’t lose steam in the race. / She didn’t lose steam during her speech.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Stay strong
51. Keep steady
Meaning: Stay calm and keep going.
Sample Sentences: I kept steady during the test. / He kept steady on the hike.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Don’t rush
52. Onward and upward
Meaning: Keep improving.
Sample Sentences: Onward and upward to better grades. / She moved onward and upward in reading.
Other Way to Say: Keep improving / Go forward
53. Push on
Meaning: Keep going no matter what.
Sample Sentences: We pushed on through the long hike. / He pushed on through the hard homework.
Other Way to Say: Don’t stop / Keep going
54. Don’t stop now
Meaning: You’re almost done, keep going.
Sample Sentences: Don’t stop now, you’re close! / She didn’t stop and finished her art.
Other Way to Say: Keep going / Almost there
55. Keep the ball rolling
Meaning: Don’t stop the progress.
Sample Sentences: Let’s keep the ball rolling on our project. / I kept the ball rolling during the meeting.
Other Way to Say: Keep it going / Don’t pause
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Keep Going
1. What does “hang in there” mean?
A) Climb a tree
B) Don’t give up
C) Wait for a ride
2. If someone says, “keep your chin up,” what are they telling you?
A) Look at the sky
B) Stay positive
C) Take a deep breath
3. “Push through” means to:
A) Move someone out of your way
B) Give up early
C) Keep going, even if it’s hard
4. What does “stick with it” mean?
A) Stop what you’re doing
B) Continue doing something
C) Try something new
5. If a teacher says, “keep the ball rolling,” what should you do?
A) Take a break
B) Keep going with your work
C) Play a game
6. “Don’t throw in the towel” means:
A) Don’t quit
B) Don’t forget your towel
C) Clean your hands
7. What does it mean to “stay the course”?
A) Stay on the playground
B) Keep following your plan
C) Change your direction
8. “Go the distance” means to:
A) Walk very far
B) Finish something you started
C) Run around in circles
9. If someone tells you to “keep grinding,” what are they really saying?
A) Use a pencil sharpener
B) Work hard and keep going
C) Chew your food
10. “One step at a time” means you should:
A) Take a walk
B) Do everything quickly
C) Do things slowly and carefully
11. What does “ride it out” mean?
A) Take a ride on a bike
B) Wait and keep going through a hard time
C) Jump out quickly
12. If you “roll with the punches,” you are:
A) Throwing punches
B) Dodging questions
C) Dealing with problems and still moving forward
Answer Key
- B) Don’t give up
- B) Stay positive
- C) Keep going, even if it’s hard
- B) Continue doing something
- B) Keep going with your work
- A) Don’t quit
- B) Keep following your plan
- B) Finish something you started
- B) Work hard and keep going
- C) Do things slowly and carefully
- B) Wait and keep going through a hard time
- C) Dealing with problems and still moving forward
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You really understand how to use idioms that mean “keep going.” Great job! - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
You know a lot and just need a little more practice. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
You’re learning. Keep going just like the idioms say! - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
That’s okay every expert starts somewhere. Time to learn more!
Conclusion
Learning idioms that mean “keep going” can help you talk about being strong, patient, and determined. These phrases are used in everyday life when things get hard but you still try your best.
Whether you’re doing homework, playing sports, or facing a problem, these idioms can help you express your effort. Keep practicing them, and you’ll start to notice them in conversations, books, and even on TV. Keep going you’ve got this.
