keep tabs on

Meaning

This expression means to monitor, observe, or keep track of someone or something closely. In relationships, it can refer to a parent watching their children or, more negatively, a micromanaging boss or jealous partner monitoring someone's actions. The tone is casual and can be neutral or slightly critical depending on the context.

Examples

• My parents always try to keep tabs on where I go after school.

  My parents always try to keep tabs on where I go after school.

• The manager uses software to keep tabs on how much time employees spend on tasks.

  The manager uses software to keep tabs on how much time employees spend on tasks.

• It is hard to keep tabs on all the new updates in the tech world.

  It is hard to keep tabs on all the new updates in the tech world.

• She hired a private investigator to keep tabs on her husband's activities.

  She hired a private investigator to keep tabs on her husband's activities.

• I need to keep tabs on my spending this month because I am on a tight budget.

  I need to keep tabs on my spending this month because I am on a tight budget.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My boss keeps tabs of my work hours.

  ✓ My boss keeps tabs on my work hours.

  The correct preposition to use after 'keep tabs' is 'on', not 'of'.

• ✗ She wants to keep tab on her boyfriend.

  ✓ She wants to keep tabs on her boyfriend.

  The word 'tabs' must always be plural in this idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Our teacher tries to ___ our progress by giving weekly quizzes.

  💡 Monitor or keep track of.

  Show answer

  keep tabs on

• You don't need to ___ me; I'm old enough to make my own decisions.

  💡 Watch or monitor closely.

  Show answer

  keep tabs on