What does it Mean to ‘Keep Abreast of (something)’?

To keep abreast means to keep informed; to stay up to date.

Abreast means to be alongside each other, facing the same direction.

This phrase has nautical origins. Long ago, the threat of pirates was ever-present in the sea on the busiest and most important routes. Therefore, ships passing through these routes often traveled in pairs.

When two or more ships went together, they kept abreast of each other meaning that they moved in the same direction and at the same speed so that they could protect each other from pirates or enemy attacks.

Over time, this phrase acquired the meaning of “keeping up with the up-to-date news on a subject”.

For example —

“I am looking for a job in web development, so I always keep abreast of any new vacancies in big companies.”

I am always up to date about any new vacancies in big companies.

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Hi, I am Gauri Shanker, a Vocab teacher and enthusiast. I teach vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. You can check out my courses here.