What is Keep Six?
1.
To hang back and watch out for somebody when they are going into a potentially dangerous situation. As in before a large illegal transaction, or while conducting a robbery.
Has nothing to do with police being 5-0. Actually derived from military communications. When an infantry squad is moving, one member may be assigned to "watch the squad's 6", meaning their 6 o'clock (behind them).
Alright guys, there's supposed to be no guns inside the pool hall, so you stay out here and keep six for me. If I you hear shots or I'm not out in 20 minutes, come in blasting.
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2.
to watch over; be a lookout for
"stay by the window and keep six for any cops."
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3.
To keep a look out for police, derived from cops being 5.0, so six means you're one up on the cops.
I'll park here and roll this up if you keep six!
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