{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./ Syn.: TAKE CARE OF(1).
{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To look at or think about (something wanted); have a wish for; have as an aim. * /I bought ice cream, but Jimmy had his eye on some candy./ * /John has his eye on a scholarship so he can go to college./ Compare: IN MIND. 2. See: KEEP AN EYE ON(1).