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

See Examples For:

keep tabs on

It comes with an app so you can keep tabs on its performance, and the ability to automatically run during off-peak electricity hours.

From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026

The labour ministry stresses that it will keep tabs on companies to ensure they take measures to protect the wellbeing of employees.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

In November 2017, when Mbappe was a fresh-faced 18-year-old, Williams had to keep tabs on the striker for 84 minutes of an international friendly in Paris.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

It was then that Dombrowski received a tip to keep tabs on Preston in case he had an opening.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

“They want to keep tabs on who’s voting and how. They know when each man’s due at the polls and God help him if he doesn’t show up to vote for Mattie.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

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