to keep up
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to keep up
To reach or maintain the same pace, level, or performance as someone else.
Obwohl er älter ist, kann er beim Laufen immer noch mit den Jüngeren mithalten.
Although he is older, he can still keep up with the younger people when running.
'Mithalten' (to keep up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'mit-' comes at the end in a main clause, stays attached to the verb in subordinate clauses, and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
Bei diesem schnellen Tempo halte ich nicht mit.
I can't keep up at this fast pace.
The verb is made up of 'mit' (with) and 'halten' (to hold). The literal idea is that you 'hold' yourself at the same level 'with' others.
Ich kann bei den Kosten für dieses Hobby einfach nicht mehr mithalten.
I simply can't keep up with the costs of this hobby anymore.
If you want to say who or what you are keeping up with, you use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative.
Sie kann problemlos mit den besten Studenten der Klasse mithalten.
She can easily keep up with the best students in the class.
Common expressions are 'nicht mehr mithalten können' (to no longer be able to keep up), when someone is overwhelmed, or 'im Tempo mithalten' (to keep up with the pace), when it is about speed.
Der kleine Laden konnte mit den Preisen der großen Supermärkte nicht mithalten.
The small shop couldn't keep up with the prices of the large supermarkets.
step
'Schritt halten mit' and 'mithalten' both mean that you do not fall behind others. 'Schritt halten mit' is a fixed expression and often sounds a bit more figurative or formal. 'mithalten' is a normal verb and is used very often in everyday language, for example with pace, performance, or learning. Learners may confuse the words because both have the same basic idea. In practice: with 'mithalten', you can phrase things more simply; 'Schritt halten mit' works well when you want to emphasize the comparison with a development or a pace.
Im schnellen Kurs kann Paul kaum mithalten.
In the fast-paced course, Paul can hardly keep up.
Kleine Firmen müssen mit der neuen Technik Schritt halten.
Small companies have to keep pace with the new technology.