Acceptable Ways to Phrase Keeping an Eye If you are asked to “keep an eye” on a meal on the stove, checking in every few minutes is usually sufficient. Ways People May Say Keeping an Eye IncorrectlyĮnglish learners should know that “keeping an eye” on or out for something does not require constant looking. They both mean that you will pay close attention.
The correct phrases are “keeping an eye on” someone or something and “keeping an eye out for” someone or something. This phrase is opposite in that you cannot see when you are in the dark. The phrase “being in the dark” about something is often used to describe not knowing something.
The military hand signal for “look” further illustrates how intuitive these phrases are - it involves pointing to your eyes with your index and middle fingers and then pointing to the target. It would make sense, then, that the eye needs to “see further” you’re looking so carefully that you keep your eye “out”. Keeping an eye out for someone or something means that you don’t currently know where it is. Keeping an eye on someone or something means to follow it closely, already knowing what or where it is. The two phrases that incorporate “keeping an eye” are intuitively understood. One explanation for this fact is that these phrases have been in use for a very long time - since before recording phrases in writing became common. It is unknown when these phrases first entered the English language. The phrases “keeping an eye on” and “keeping an eye out for” are an exception. Most common English phrases and idioms can be traced back, at least approximately, to a certain point in time. Several car thieves have been spotted in the area.”
These examples look at “keeping an eye on” someone or something: Example UsageĪre you curious how you can put the phrase “keeping an eye” into action? When you “keep an eye” on or out for someone or something, you say that you will observe or look for someone or something. “Keeping an eye out for” someone or something means to be alert, or to promise to look for the person or thing in question.īoth phrases refer directly to the fact that we use our eyes to see. When someone says this, they will already know where the object or person in question is. “Keeping an eye on” someone or something means to pay close attention to the target, or watching it very carefully. Two closely-related but distinct phrases that use the words “keeping an eye” are used in the English language:
#WE WILL KEEP AN EYE OUT MEANING HOW TO#
Are you baking a cake and are you not sure when it needs to come out of the oven? Have you noticed someone suspicious in your neighborhood? You’ll want to “keep an eye on” both of these things! Keep reading to learn more about the meaning of this phrase, and to find out how to use it.
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