Definition
To inspire or cause (someone) to avoid idleness, unemployment, poverty, or antisocial behavior.
In Context
- ""Dolly Nemeroff said you're a private detective in California." […] "It's an archaic line of work, but it keeps me off the streets.""
- "The Prague-born Jelinek, 32, arrived in Toronto this month to become a principal with the National Ballet of Canada. […] But he'd never have reached this point if his single mom, who died when he was 17, hadn't put him in ballet school to keep him off the streets."
- ""The kids love it because they love computers," said Ms. Hanson, "and I love it because it helps them with their education while keeping them off the streets.""
- "And back then, our parents knew that if they loved and encouraged us, if they kept us off the streets and out of trouble, then we'd be okay."