keep tabs on
idiom
informal
: to carefully watch (someone or something) in order to learn what that person or thing is doing
We are keeping tabs on their movements.
The magazine keeps tabs on the latest fashion trends.
Examples of keep tabs on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Y’all make sure to follow him at @MrChadBishop — and bookmark this page to keep tabs on his more offbeat spring training adventures, too.
—
Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The Canucks should keep tabs on Kasper in case a buying opportunity arises.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Amazon’s February deals include Apple AirTags to keep tabs on your luggage, because guessing where your bag landed is not the vibe.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
The American president has been behaving toward allies like the guy who walked away from the relationship but still wants to keep tabs on their dating life.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keep tabs on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The Canucks should keep tabs on Kasper in case a buying opportunity arises.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Amazon’s February deals include Apple AirTags to keep tabs on your luggage, because guessing where your bag landed is not the vibe.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
The American president has been behaving toward allies like the guy who walked away from the relationship but still wants to keep tabs on their dating life.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keep tabs on
Cite this Entry
“Keep tabs on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20tabs%20on. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
