keep an eye out for

Meaning

This idiom means to watch carefully or remain alert for something or someone that you want to see, find, or avoid. It is very common when looking for landmarks, deals, or safety hazards.

Examples

• When you reach the city center, keep an eye out for the historic clock tower.

  When you reach the city center, keep an eye out for the historic clock tower.

• Keep an eye out for cheap flights during the holiday sales.

  Keep an eye out for cheap flights during the holiday sales.

• While hiking in this area, you should keep an eye out for loose rocks.

  While hiking in this area, you should keep an eye out for loose rocks.

• I told him to keep an eye out for a good Italian restaurant near our hotel.

  I told him to keep an eye out for a good Italian restaurant near our hotel.

• As we drive down the coast, keep an eye out for dolphins in the water.

  As we drive down the coast, keep an eye out for dolphins in the water.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Keep your eye out to the red sign.

  ✓ Keep an eye out for the red sign.

  The standard preposition following this idiom is 'for', not 'to'.

• ✗ I will keep my eyes out for him.

  ✓ I will keep an eye out for him.

  While 'keep your eyes open for' is acceptable, the classic idiom 'keep an eye out for' uses the singular 'an eye'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• While we walk through the market, ___ any pickpockets.

  💡 Watch carefully to avoid danger.

  Show answer

  keep an eye out for

• Could you ___ the luggage carousel while I go to the restroom?

  💡 Look out for our bags.

  Show answer

  keep an eye out for