keep at something

phrasal verbphr v

a) keep at it spokenCONTINUE/NOT STOP to continue to do something, although it is difficult or hard work 坚持干，继续苦干

I know it’s hard, but keep at it! Don’t give up!

我知道这不容易，但要坚持下去！别放弃！

b) keep somebody at somethingWORK HARD to force someone to continue to work hard and not let them stop 强迫某人继续苦干某事

Examples from the Corpus

keep at • The animals were kept at 20°C, 50% humidity and a light/dark cycle of 12/12 hours.• The population were kept at a pre-technological level of civilization, with android advisers to make their lives easy.• Velvet can be kept at bay by good husbandry.• As a criticism of the modern world, Fantasia of the Unconscious is a book to keep at hand and re-read.• In those optimistic times, the commission thought that if they just kept at it they could eventually eradicate the gypsy moth.• Getting a novel published has inspired White to keep at it.• Hence Phoenix always keeps at least two of its garbage districts in public hands-so it will always have the capacity to compete.• We kept at them and finally wore them down.