Meaning trap
keep up
maintain standards
To continue to meet a required level of quality, performance, or behaviour, especially when it is difficult to do so.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To continue to meet a required level of quality, performance, or behaviour, especially when it is difficult to do so.
'keep up' also has the more basic meaning 'maintain the same pace'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
It's becoming increasingly difficult for small businesses to keep up the high standards their customers expect.
In order to remain competitive, companies must constantly innovate and keep up high standards across all departments.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Keep up with the good work!
Say: Keep up the good work!
This 'maintain a standard' sense takes a direct object — 'keep up the good work' (no 'with'). 'With' is for matching a pace.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Keep up' naturally means sustain a level. 'Sustain such a high level of performance' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
keep up + standard
- the good work
- standards
- appearances
- the pace of work
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- keep up (maintain the same pace) — 'keep up' also has the more basic meaning 'maintain the same pace'; this is the advanced sense.