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abreast, keep abreast of

Abreast means “beside.”

  • In the parade, the soldiers marched five abreast.

The phrase keep abreast of therefore means to stay even or level with, or not to fall behind, either physically or figuratively.

  • Geri was happy to keep abreast of the front runners in the 10K race.
  • By working very long hours at her business, Tanya managed to keep abreast of (or level with) her competitors.

To keep abreast of means to remain aware of, or to maintain one’s knowledge of (news or developments).

  • Jackson kept abreast of world news by reading several newspapers each day.