keep an eye on something/somebodyto look after someone or something and make sure that they are safe
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
watch to look at someone or something for a period of time and pay attention to what is happening:
They were all watching the game. I watched him get out of his car. We are watching carefully to see how the situation develops.keep an eye on somebody/something to watch someone or something carefully so that you are prepared if anything bad happens:
The doctors are keeping a careful eye on her. Can you keep an eye on my bag for me? Keep an eye on house prices before you decide to sell.observe to watch someone or something carefully in order to learn more about them:
A 24-hour camera is being used to observe the birds’ behaviour. During your teacher training you will be encouraged to observe lessons.monitor to watch a situation carefully to see how it changes over a period of time:
Class teachers are responsible for monitoring the progress of each student. Economists are monitoring the situation carefully.spy on somebody to watch someone secretly in order to find out what they are doing:
He hired a private detective to spy on her. In the 1960s, government agencies were spying on everybody.spectator someone who watches an event, especially a sports event:
There were 4,500 spectators at the game. a crowd of spectatorsviewer someone who watches television:
Millions of television viewers listened to the President’s speech. programmes for younger viewersaudience the people who watch a play or performance, or the people who watch a particular television programme:
The audience roared with laughter and clapped. It attracted a television audience of seven million.onlooker someone who watches something happening without being involved in it, especially in the street:
A man was standing on the roof, watched by a crowd of onlookers below.observer someone who watches and pays attention to particular situations and events, because they are interested in them, or it is their job:
She was a shrewd observer of human nature. a political observer who writes for The Independent newspaper The United Nations has sent military observers to the Sudan.look at/glance at your watch I looked at my watch. It was 4.30.check/consult your watch He checked his watch and saw that it was only 2.15.a watch says ... My watch says twenty past one.put your watch forward (=make it show a later time) The passengers were reminded to put their watches forward three hours.put your watch back (=make it show an earlier time) On Saturday night, don’t forget to put your watch back an hour.set your watch (=make it show the correct time) I set my watch by the clock on the mantelpiece.wear a watch He wore a gold watch.a watch stops Her watch had stopped after getting wet in the sea.sb’s watch is fast/runs fast (=it shows a later time) No, it’s only 12.15 – your watch must be fast.sb’s watch is slow/runs slow (=it shows an earlier time) 'He’s late.' 'Maybe his watch is running slow.' [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲
keep an eye on v. phr. 1. To watch carefully; not stop paying attention to.
Keep an eye on the stove in case the coffee boils. You must keep your eye on the ball when you play tennis. A good driver keeps his eye on the road. The teacher had her eye on me because she thought I was cheating. Billy keeps a jealous eye on his toys. The lion tamer keeps a sharp eye on the lions when he is in the cage. Compare: LOOK OUT, LOOK OVER.
2. To watch and do what is needed for; mind.
Mother told Jane to keep an eye on the baby while she was in the store. Mr. Brown told John to keep an eye on the store while he was out. Synonym: TAKE CARE OF
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[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲