keep tabs on

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Related Words

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