Keep Your Eyes Open Meaning

Keep your eyes open is one of several idioms that have to do with having ‘alert’ eyes and being watchful or noticing something or someone. 1Brenner, Gail. Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Meaning of Idiom ‘Keep Your (or one’s) Eyes Open’

To keep your eyes open means to be watchful and observant; to watch vigilantly for someone or something.2Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.,3Ayto, John. [http://amzn.to/2vdGvI7 Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms]. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.4Brenner, Gail. Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Similar idioms:

keep your eyes peeled
keep an eye out
keep a lookout

Notes On Use

Keep one’s eyes open is often followed by the preposition for, after which the person or thing one should be watching for is named, e.g. “keep your eyes open for a good parking place.”

Sentence Examples

“Keep your eyes open for an antiques shop. I heard there was a good one in this area.”

“If you go to the flea market, keep your eyes open for a set of wrenches. I could always use some more sizes.”

“I think that food critic is coming in today, so keep your eyes open,” said the manager.

“Just keep your eyes open and let me know if any of the lights go out while I check the breakers,” said the electrician.

“Keep your eyes open for those fighters.” — Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

“Just keep your eyes open. Do your job.” — Catch Me If You Can (2003)

“We’re gonna sit tight till it comes, but keep your eyes open.” — Full Metal Jacket (1987)

“Come on! Hurry up, … ! Move it! You too. Come on. – Keep your eyes open.” — Apocalypse Now (1979)

“There’s someone here.” – “Where? “I don’t know. Keep your eye open.” — X-Men (2000)

Origin

Used since the late 1800s.

More ‘Eye’ Idioms