keep one's eyes open

Idioms  

1. Also,. Be watchful and observant. For example, We should keep our eyes open for a change in the wind's direction, or Keep your eyes peeled for the teacher. The first phrase dates from the late 1800s; the second and third, both colloquial and alluding to the lids not covering the eyes, date from the mid-1800s and 1830s, respectively.

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Example Sentences

There is something in the game of poker that will keep one's eyes open longer than will the fear of death, so the four kept on playing until time for luncheon.

From Tales of the Road by Crewdson, Charles N. (Charles Newman)

A man had to know the surroundings well to find his way now; one had to feel -- it was impossible to keep one's eyes open.

From The South Pole; an account of the Norwegian Antarctic expedition in the "Fram," 1910-12 — Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Chater, Arthur G.

There’s any amount of real misery to be met with in the neighbourhood of the Docks, ay, and all over London, for that matter, if one only chooses to keep one’s eyes open.

From The Pirate Island A Story of the South Pacific by Staniland, C.J.

One cannot keep one's eyes open very long without winking, but the stranger did.

From The Ape, the Idiot & Other People by Morrow, W. C.

It is as well to keep one's eyes open, constable, when investigating a case like this.'

From The Triumphs of Eugène Valmont by Barr, Robert