keep a close watch/eye

phrase

: to watch closely
Keep (a) close watch/eye on the baby.

Examples of keep a close watch/eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Beachgoers headed to the Texas coast for spring break may want to keep a close eye on the sand. — Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026 Every summer, people living near the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, keep a close eye on the water level. — Dan McGrath, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 That is why Docks and Foley are encouraging parents, teachers, police, and other community members to keep a close eye on children. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 Always keep a close eye on conditions, especially as rain and warmth arrive next week. — Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for keep a close watch/eye

Browse Nearby Words

keep a close check on
keep a close watch/eye
keep a close watch over
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keep a close watch/eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20a%20close%20watch%2Feye. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All