Meaning of for keeps | Babel Free

Definitions

1. With an agreement or intention to retain what one gains or receives.
2. With a strong competitive resolve to win or succeed, as in sports or business.
   broadly, idiomatic
3. Permanently, so that one can keep something indefinitely.

Examples

“When we gamble at poker, we play for keeps.”

“"We both got a job to do. They play for keeps and we play for keeps too," Haggans said.”

“The Griswold trophy was presented to its winner, for keeps, since it was the third time she had won it.”

CEFR level