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keep an eye on
/kiːp ən aɪ ɒn/
watch or monitor closely
Can you keep an eye on the kids while I run to the store?
Watch the children carefully while I am away.
informal
To watch or monitor something or someone closely to ensure safety, progress, or proper behavior.
The manager asked me to keep an eye on the new employee during their first week.
The manager wanted me to monitor the new employee closely to ensure they were adjusting well.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast; it might rain later.
Monitor the weather updates to stay informed about potential rain.
This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate careful observation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
This phrase is often used when asking someone to watch over something or someone temporarily.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
While the phrase is informal, it can be used in professional settings when discussing supervision or monitoring tasks.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the idea of using one's eyes to watch something carefully, with 'eye' symbolizing vigilance.
Usage Notes
This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in casual speech.
Word Breakdown
keep
to maintain or continue
rootan eye
vision or attention
rooton
directed toward
prepositionEnglish Dictionary