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Glite Dictionary
to keep one's eyes peeled

to keep one's eyes peeled

16 4.6
Watch carefully for something important or dangerous
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : estar muy atento
  • Follow the Seward Highway past the remnants of mining claims and keep your eyes peeled for whales and eagles.

Examples

  • In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for that perfect shot.

    Academic text (2009)

  • But they kept their eyes peeled for something closer, just in case.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Just keep your eyes peeled for the other two.

    Deep Blue Sea 3 (2020)

  • All right, keep your eyes peeled.

    Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

  • I said to the girls, "Keep your eyes peeled."

    Blog text (14)

  • There could be hostiles around so keep your eyes peeled.

    The Zombie Diaries 2 (2011)

  • All right, keep your eyes peeled for a goofy-looking guy with a map.

    Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006)

  • Keep your eyes peeled for hostiles.

    Kandahar (2023)

  • Go outside and keep your eyes peeled for any trouble in the area.

  • As we hike through the forest, everyone should keep their eyes peeled for wildlife.

Synonyms

to watch
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
∞ 1.0

To be careful and pay attention to possible danger

focuses more on active watching rather than general carefulness
to pay attention
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
∞ 1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

is a lighter everyday alertness rather than deliberate focused concentration
to watch out
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
582 3.0

To be careful to avoid danger or trouble

stresses watching rather than taking protective steps
to keep an eye on
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
408 2.4

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

is brief alert watching rather than ongoing monitoring
to look out for
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
291 3.0

Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone

is about staying alert without the protective responsibility
to look out
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
153 1.6

Watch for danger or trouble

is more about active visual attention than general caution
to keep an eye out
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
134 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

is broader constant alertness rather than waiting for one thing
to keep one's eyes open
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
97 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

is similar but more idiomatic and informal in tone
on the lookout for
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
47 3.4

Watching carefully to find someone or something

is staying alert but not necessarily actively searching
to keep tabs on
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
43 3.9

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

is immediate alert attention rather than long term tracking
to keep watch
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
30 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

is everyday alert watching rather than formal guarding duty
to stay alert
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
28 3.4

To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes

is the same idea but emphasizes active looking rather than general vigilance
to keep a close watch
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
8 3.0

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

is casual alertness rather than continuous intensive monitoring
to keep one's ears open
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

uses seeing or general watchfulness rather than listening focus
to keep an eye peeled
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

is general visual alertness rather than focused search
to keep your head on a swivel
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
1 8.1

To stay very alert and watch what is happening around you

means staying watchful but with less extreme urgency
to keep one's eyes skinned
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • UK
8.2

Watch carefully for danger or a chance to act

is plain alertness without extra danger or opportunity emphasis
to keep one's ear to the ground
vsto keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
6.5

To pay close attention to what people say and do to know what is happening

focuses on visual or general watchfulness rather than gossip or trends

Antonyms

to overlook
243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Alert

to keep one's eyes peeled
  • Informal
16 4.6
to stay alert
28 3.4

Surface Forms

keep one's eyes peeled infinitive
keeping one's eyes peeled present participle
keeps one's eyes peeled third person singular
kept one's eyes peeled past
kept one's eyes peeled past participle

Morphology

keep + one + eye + peeled

The verbs 'keep' and the noun 'eyes' suggest maintaining vision, but the past participle 'peeled' does not literally combine with 'eyes' in a straightforward way for most learners. The phrase relies on a metaphorical sense of 'peeled' (eyes uncovered/open) so its meaning is partially inferable but requires idiomatic knowledge or exposure, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

Keep one's eyes peeled may come from the image of keeping your eyes peeled—as if you pull your eyelids back so your eyes stay wide and can see everything. That's why it means 'to stay alert and watchful'.