Keep an eye on
Meaning
To monitor or watch carefully to ensure safety, proper functioning, or to await a specific event.
Origin
The concept of using the "eye" as a symbol for vigilance is as old as language itself, but the phrase "keep an eye on" began to truly take hold in the English lexicon around the 17th century. Imagine the bustling marketplaces and precarious streets of early modern cities, where goods needed guarding and children required constant supervision. To "keep an eye on" something or someone was not merely to glance, but to maintain a watchful, active observation—a vital practice for security and oversight in a world without pervasive surveillance technology. It encapsulated the essential human act of vigilantly watching over what was precious or important, solidifying its place as a cornerstone idiom for watchful care.
Examples
- Could you please keep an eye on my bag while I go order coffee?
- The manager asked me to keep an eye on the new intern to make sure they were settling in well.