verb phrase🎓 English idiom

keep an eye on

to watch carefully

What it means

To keep an eye on someone or something means to watch them carefully, often to make sure they are safe or that nothing goes wrong. It suggests ongoing, attentive supervision rather than constant staring.

Examples

  • Could you keep an eye on my bag while I order coffee?
  • Parents need to keep an eye on young children near the pool.
  • We're keeping an eye on the weather before deciding to travel.
  • The nurse kept an eye on the patient through the night.

Where it comes from

This is a literal, long-standing English expression built on 'eye' as the organ of watching; phrases of this form have been used since at least the 16th century.

Related idioms

#all ears#keep your fingers crossed#turn a blind eye#sit tight

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