The meaning of "being kept" depends on context, but generally it has two main interpretations:
- Literally, "being kept" means something or someone is maintained, preserved, protected, or retained in a certain state or condition. For example, it could mean that a secret is being kept, or that someone's children are "kept" meaning they are well cared for and protected or supported financially.
- In a social context, especially when referring to a "kept man" or "kept woman," it means a person who does not work but is financially supported and maintained by another person, usually a partner with whom they have a sexual relationship. This often implies that the "kept" person is dependent on the other for living expenses and lifestyle, sometimes in an exploitative or transactional manner.
Thus, "being kept" can mean either simply being cared for and supported or more specifically referring to a dependent romantic relationship where one partner supports the other financially. This covers the main meanings of what it means "to be kept." If there is a particular context or example, that could clarify further.
