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to keep an eye out

to keep an eye out

73 3.2
Watch carefully for someone or something
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
: estar atento a
  • Please keep an eye out for my package; it should arrive today.
  • keep an eye out
  • always keep an eye out
  • also keep an eye out

So just make, just keep an eye out for that.

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Examples

  • Next year, we've also got a huge study on gut health coming up, so keep an eye out for that.

  • Keep an eye out for me, will you?

  • And after years of keeping an eye out I finally found the perfect thing.

  • All we can do is keep an eye out.

  • And, uh, we'll keep an eye out for your book.

  • Tell them to keep an eye out... for someone who could be heading this way.

  • We turned into New Oxford Street, and I asked her to keep an eye out for a parking spot.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Keep an eye out for that cat.

  • I have some very big announcements coming, so please keep an eye out for some some big news in the next month or two.

  • As always, keep an eye out for four bright points of light arrayed around Jupiter.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

to watch
vsto keep an eye out
∞ 1.0

To be careful and pay attention to possible danger

is general alertness for noticing people or things rather than only avoiding risk
to pay attention
vsto keep an eye out
985 1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

is alertness for finding people or things rather than focused mental concentration
to watch out
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
498 3.0

To be careful to avoid danger or trouble

is general alertness toward anything rather than specifically avoiding harm
to keep an eye on
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
432 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

is general alertness rather than continuous supervised monitoring for safety
to look out
vsto keep an eye out
388 1.6

Watch for danger or trouble

is general alertness for noticing others or things rather than only warning about harm
to look out for
vsto keep an eye out
356 3.0

Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone

is general alertness for finding someone or something rather than active protection
to keep watch
vsto keep an eye out
83 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

is general alertness rather than a role of supervising or guarding
to keep tabs on
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
52 3.9

To watch someone or something closely over time to see what happens

is general alertness rather than systematic checking to follow developments
on the lookout for
vsto keep an eye out
47 3.4

Watching carefully to find someone or something

is general alertness rather than focused active searching for specifics
on guard
vsto keep an eye out
45 3.5

Alert and ready to act if danger or problems appear

is general alertness rather than being prepared specifically to act
to stay alert
vsto keep an eye out
27 3.4

To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes

is active looking for someone or something rather than mere readiness
to keep guard
vsto keep an eye out
22 3.1

To stay and watch to protect people or a place

is general alertness rather than the specific act of defending or protecting
to stand watch
vsto keep an eye out
  • Jargon
16 3.4

To stay awake and guard people or a place

is general alertness rather than formal duty to protect during assigned hours
to keep a close watch
vsto keep an eye out
10 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

is general alertness rather than intensive careful ongoing surveillance
to keep one's eyes open
vsto keep an eye out
2 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

is general alertness for anything rather than attention to chance events
to keep an eye peeled
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

is general alertness rather than focused searching for a specific target
to stand sentinel
vsto keep an eye out
  • Literature
1 7.0

To watch and guard a place or person

is general alertness rather than an assigned stationary protection role
to watch one's back
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
1 6.8

Be careful about people who might try to harm you

is general alertness rather than specific caution about harm from others
on one's guard
vsto keep an eye out
1 4.7

Alert and ready to deal with danger or problems

is general alertness rather than readiness to act against threats
to keep one's ears open
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
1 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

is general alertness rather than specifically listening for information
to keep one's eyes peeled
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
1 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

is general alertness rather than an intense search for specifics
to keep one's eyes skinned
vsto keep an eye out
  • UK
8.2

Watch carefully for danger or a chance to act

is general alertness rather than heightened especially careful attention
to keep on (one's) toes
vsto keep an eye out
  • Informal
5.8

Make someone stay alert and ready for surprises

is being alert oneself rather than being prompted by another person or event

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

76 6.3

Not noticing what happens around you

How Watchful

to keep an eye peeled
  • Informal
1 6.0
to keep an eye out
  • Informal
73 3.2
to glance at
218 2.0

Surface Forms

keep an eye out infinitive

Morphology

keep + an + eye + out

The components 'keep' (remain), 'eye' (watch/attention) and 'out' (looking outward) combine to suggest 'remain watchful' so the overall sense is partly inferable from the parts. However, the use of 'an eye' metaphorically for attention and the particle 'out' meaning 'look for' are somewhat figurative and idiomatic, so a B1 learner might not fully predict the exact phrasing or nuance without prior exposure.

Etymology

Keep an eye out comes from the image of a person standing watch, keeping one eye looking out for someone or something, like a guard watching a gate. So it now means 'to remain alert or watchful'.