Not get rid of NYT crossword clue

The clue “Not get rid of” suggests a word that means to hold on to something rather than discarding it. It points to an action where something is preserved or maintained rather than eliminated or thrown away.

The correct answer to this clue is “keep.” To keep means to retain or maintain possession of something, ensuring it is not discarded, lost, or given away. It perfectly captures the idea of not getting rid of something, in contrast to throwing it out or letting it go.