keep tabs on

Idioms  

1. Observe carefully, keep a record of. For example, I hate having my boss keep tabs on my every move, or We've got to keep tabs on outgoing mail so we can keep track of postage. This expression uses to tab in the sense of “an account.” [Late 1800s] Also see keep track.

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Example Sentences

But the department has struggled to keep tabs on whether officers are breaking the rules by turning off their cameras during public encounters.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

These in-home sensors and location trackers can help families keep tabs on the health and safety of their aging loved ones while also respecting their privacy, writes Julie Jargon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

China's sprawling security apparatus has long been accused of infiltrating community organisations as a way to keep tabs on expats and dissidents.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

This will allow practitioners to "keep tabs on people" and offer them new tests and treatments as they are rolled out, he added, while stressing it would be "incredibly confidential and secure".

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

But actually it was quite simple to keep tabs on Bunny: I think because he, too, was unwilling to let the others, and Henry in particular, out of his sight for very long.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• attend
• check out
• examine
• follow
• listen
• look
• observe
• regard
• scan
• scrutinize
• see
• stare
• view
• wait