keep-away

noun

ˈkēp-ə-ˌwā 

: a game in which two or more players try to keep an object (such as a ball) from one or more other players

Examples of keep-away in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When opponents can squeeze your passing game with an offside trap and play keep-away with their goalkeeper, maybe dribbling through midfield isn’t such a bad strategy. — John Muller, New York Times, 6 June 2026

The Kings played as Las Vegas did, but their endgame was to play keep-away, not to win the game. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 May 2026

In a best-case scenario, Bedard and McKenna would play keep-away from the defense and set each other up for a plethora of shots. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected, and after UConn came up with the ball, Demary made a shot from well behind the three-point line. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above