Built from keep, meaning to continue or maintain, and eye as an image of watchful attention. The expression keep an eye on in the sense of keeping someone or something under supervision is recorded from the early 1400s.
Built from keep, meaning to continue or maintain, and eye as an image of watchful attention. The expression keep an eye on in the sense of keeping someone or something under supervision is recorded from the early 1400s.
What does keep an eye on mean?
To keep an eye on someone or something is to watch carefully, often to provide care or notice a change.
Is keep an eye on an idiom?
Yes. Keep an eye on is an everyday idiom about watchful attention, not a request to place an eye on something.
What is the past tense of keep an eye on?
The past form is kept an eye on, as in ‘She kept an eye on the children.’
Can keep an eye on mean look after someone?
Yes. It often means watching someone briefly to help keep them safe, though it can also mean monitoring a situation or a change.
What is the difference between keep an eye on and keep an eye out for?
Keep an eye on means watch someone or something already present. Keep an eye out for means watch for someone or something to appear.