keep one's eyes peeled
English
editEtymology
editUS, 19th century. Peeled probably refers to keeping one's eyelids retracted.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editkeep one's eyes peeled (third-person singular simple present keeps one's eyes peeled, present participle keeping one's eyes peeled, simple past and past participle kept one's eyes peeled)
- (intransitive, idiomatic, (with "for")) To be on the alert, to be watchful.
- 1990, Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park:
- And directly below is our Mesozoic jungle river -- where, if you are lucky, you just may catch a glimpse of a very rare carnivore. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone!
- 2003 November 14, Laura Bly, “Sailing into the past”, in USA Today:
- lookouts posted to the port and starboard bows keep their eyes peeled for the ghostly outline of approaching traffic.
Synonyms
edit- (to be watchful): keep an eye out, keep one's eyes open
Translations
editto be watchful
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