"to keep an eye on"

Meaning: to watch or take care of something or somebody; to watch something closely

Similar Expressions

• Please keep an eye on my bag while I go to the bathroom.
• Please watch my bag while I go to the bathroom.
• Please keep my bag safe while I go to the bathroom.
• Please take care of my bag while I go to the bathroom.

When do we use it?

We often use this when asking people to watch, protect, or take care of somebody or something for us.

• Can you keep an eye on my house while I am on vacation?
• Do you mind keeping an eye on my dog for a couple days?
• Would you mind keeping an eye on my daughter while I make a phone call?

We can also use it to tell others that we will watch, protect, or take care of something.

• You go out and have fun. I will keep an eye on the kids.
• I will keep an eye on the cake while it is in the oven.

We can also use this expression to say that we are watching something closely.

• We are keeping an eye on the stock market to see if there are any big changes this week.

How do we use it?

We can use this expression in any tense and with both sentences and questions. "To keep" changes just like a verb in any other sentence, and "an eye on" always stays the same.

• I am keeping an eye on his house until next week.
• She will keep an eye on him.
• We are keeping an eye on the political situation in Sudan.
• Could you keep an eye on my laptop while I get some coffee?
• Do you mind keeping an eye on this while I go to the bathroom?
• Please keep on eye on this while I am gone.

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