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[0374] Keep an eye on

🎲 Play it by ear
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To watch something or someone carefully; to monitor or supervise; to look after something for a short time.

Origin

  • A very straightforward idiom based on the literal act of using one's eyes (eye) to maintain observation (keep) on something or someone.
  • Simple, direct imagery.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Watch
  • Monitor
  • Supervise
  • Look after
  • Mind (UK/Ireland e.g., Mind my bag)
  • Pay attention to
  • Keep tabs on (implies more consistent, perhaps covert, monitoring)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Scope out / Scope (More about checking something out initially, but can imply watching)
  • Peep (Watch, observe, sometimes sneakily)
  • Clock (Notice or watch, UK slang)

More Formal:

  • Maintain surveillance on
  • Observe closely
  • Oversee

Protective:

  • Watch my back (Look out for danger/trouble for me)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Very versatile; appropriate in contexts ranging from very informal (watching a friend's drink) to quite formal (monitoring financial markets). The specific context dictates the level of seriousness.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally very clear and unlikely to be misunderstood.

Examples

  • Could you keep an eye on my luggage while I go to the restroom?
  • The doctor told me to keep an eye on my blood pressure.
  • We need to keep an eye on the competition's new product launch.
  • Keep an eye on the kids while they're playing outside.

Dialogue

Context

Chef: Maria, can you keep an eye on this sauce? Make sure it doesn't burn. I need to take a call.

Maria: Sure thing, chef. I'll watch it.

(Later)

Chef: How's the sauce?

Maria: Perfect, didn't stick at all.

Social Media Examples

  • Parenting Forum Post: Need advice! How closely do you keep an eye on your teens' social media use? #parenting #teens #socialmedia
  • Neighborhood Group: Someone keeps leaving their bins out late. Can everyone keep an eye on who it might be? #communitywatch
  • Travel Tweet: Shoutout to the kind stranger at the cafe who kept an eye on my laptop while I ran to the counter! 🙏 #travel #kindness

Response Patterns

  • Agreement/Confirmation: Sure, no problem. / Okay, will do. / Got it.
  • Clarification (if needed): For how long? / What exactly should I watch for?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After agreeing to keep an eye on something/someone:

  • Performing the watching/monitoring action.
  • Reporting back if something noteworthy happens: Hey, your bag started moving! or The kids are getting too close to the road.
  • Confirming when the watching period is over: Okay, I'm back now. / Everything okay?

After asking someone to keep an eye on something/someone:

  • Saying thank you: Thanks, I appreciate it.
  • Returning to relieve the watcher.

Conversation Starter

  • Yes, commonly used to initiate a request. Hey, could you do me a favor and keep an eye on...?

Intonation

  • Usually said as a request or instruction.
  • Stress often falls on EYE. Keep an EYE on that.

Generation Differences

  • Universal; used and understood by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions. Mind is a common alternative in the UK and Ireland.
Cost an arm and a leg
🎲 Play it by ear