Keep an Eye On / Out – Meaning and Examples
Are you cooking food and cannot leave the kitchen? You need to keep an eye on it. These common idioms are about watching carefully. Keep an eye on means to watch something or someone. Keep an eye out means to look for something. Learning these phrases will help you talk about paying attention.
What Do “Keep an Eye On” and “Keep an Eye Out” Mean?
“Keep an eye on” means to watch something or someone carefully, often to make sure they are safe. “Keep an eye out” means to actively look for something or someone that you expect to see.
Think of it like this: A parent asks a babysitter to keep an eye on the children. A friend tells you to keep an eye out for a red car when you are waiting for them.
Remember, “on” is for watching something you have. “Out” is for looking for something you expect to find.
When to Use Them
You can use these idioms in many daily situations.
- Supervising: “Can you keep an eye on my bag while I use the restroom?”
- Looking For: “Keep an eye out for the street name; our turn is soon.”
- Safety: “We need to keep an eye on the weather in case a storm comes.”
The tone is informal, friendly, and practical. They are perfect for conversations with friends and family.
Example Sentences
- Please keep an eye on the baby while I answer the door.
- Keep an eye out for the mailman; I’m expecting a package.
- Could you keep an eye on my soup so it doesn’t boil over?
- We should keep an eye out
Mini Dialogue
Mom: “I’m going to the neighbor’s house for a minute. Can you keep an eye on your little sister?”
Older Brother: “Sure. What should I do?”
Mom: “Just keep an eye on her while she plays. And keep an eye out for the delivery truck. I need to sign for a package.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is mixing up “keep an eye on” and “keep an eye out.” They are used for different situations.
❌ Don’t say: “Keep an eye out on the children.” (This mixes the two phrases).
✅ Do say: “Keep an eye on the children.” OR “Keep an eye out for the children.” (The first means watch them; the second means look for them).
Practice Tip
Ask a friend or family member for a small favor using “keep an eye on.” For example, “Can you keep an eye on my phone for a second?” It’s a natural way to practice.
Final Note
These are very helpful and friendly phrases. They make it easy to ask for help or to warn someone. Use them to be clear and polite in your everyday conversations.