Keep an eye on

Meaning

The idiom "keep an eye on" means to be alert, observant, or watchful over something or someone. It can also mean to monitor or supervise a situation or person closely. This idiom is used when you want to keep track of something or someone that might cause problems or pose a threat.

Usage

• I always keep an eye on my company's financial performance to make sure we are doing well.
• The security guards at the airport keep an eye on passengers and their belongings to prevent theft.
• My manager keeps an eye on me to make sure I am meeting my targets.
• She always keeps an eye on her children while they play outside.
• We should keep an eye on our competitors' movements to stay ahead in the market.

Roots and History

The idiom "keep an eye on" has been used since at least the early 20th century. The earliest known use of this idiom is found in a book written in 1914, which says, "It's good to keep an eye on things while they are going on." Over time, the meaning and usage of this idiom have remained relatively consistent, but it has been used in different contexts depending on the situation.

Synonyms in English

• Watch over
• Monitor
• Observe
• Keep track of
• Supervise

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: vigilar, observador
• Français: surveiller, vigilant
• Italian: vigilare, osservatore
• German: beobachten, überwachen
• Mandarin Chinese: 监控，观察

Similar Idioms

• kill two birds with one stone

• keep promise

• kill time