Out Or Keeping for Dummies

"Out of Keeping" is a phrase that means something or someone that does not align with or is not in harmony with its surroundings or expected qualities. It refers to something that is out of place, awkward, or inconsistent. Imagine this, if you were invited to a fancy gala and you showed up wearing casual jeans and a t-shirt, that would definitely be out of keeping with the expected formal dress code of the event. It's like trying to eat a bowl of cereal with a fork instead of a spoon; it just doesn't match or fit properly.

Let's break it down a bit further so we can fully understand the different aspects of this phrase. The word "out" suggests being outside or away from something. And "keeping" refers to the idea of maintaining or conforming to a certain standard or set expectations. So, when we combine them together, "out of keeping" means being outside of what is expected or appropriate in a particular context.

To give you another example, let's say you have a pet fish, and you decide to keep it in a small, cramped cage instead of a spacious aquarium. This situation would be considered out of keeping because fishes are naturally supposed to be in water, swimming freely, and not restricted to a tiny cage. It's like putting a bird in a fish tank or trying to find snow in a desert - it just doesn't match up.

In a broader sense, "out of keeping" can also describe a behavior or action that is inconsistent with someone's personality or usual actions. For instance, if you have a friend who is typically calm and composed, but one day they start yelling and screaming for no apparent reason, their behavior would be out of keeping with their usual calm demeanor.

So, in summary, "out of keeping" means being outside of what is expected, appropriate, or consistent with a particular context, setting, or individual's usual characteristics. It's like wearing flip-flops to a winter ski trip or using a hammer to open a can of soup - it just doesn't fit or make sense.