keep an eye on

Meaning

This expression means to watch, monitor, or look after someone or something carefully. It is used when you need to make sure something remains safe, behaves correctly, or doesn't go wrong. It is neutral and highly versatile, used in both casual and professional settings.

Examples

• Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?

  Could you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?

• The doctor told me to keep an eye on the rash to see if it gets worse.

  The doctor told me to keep an eye on the rash to see if it gets worse.

• We need to keep an eye on our competitors' pricing strategies.

  We need to keep an eye on our competitors' pricing strategies.

• I'll keep an eye on the soup so it doesn't boil over.

  I'll keep an eye on the soup so it doesn't boil over.

• Please keep an eye on your little brother while we are out.

  Please keep an eye on your little brother while we are out.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Can you keep my eyes on my suitcase?

  ✓ Can you keep an eye on my suitcase?

  The expression is always singular ('an eye') and refers to the action of watching, not literally placing your own physical eyes on the object.

• ✗ I will keep an eye for the baby.

  ✓ I will keep an eye on the baby.

  The correct preposition to use after 'keep an eye' is 'on', not 'for'. 'Keep an eye out for' is a different idiom meaning to look for something expected.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Could you ___ the oven while I step outside for a minute?

  💡 Monitor or watch

  Show answer

  keep an eye on

• The manager asked me to ___ the new intern to make sure he doesn't make mistakes.

  💡 Watch closely

  Show answer

  keep an eye on