Keep (close) tabs on somebody/something In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "keep (close) tabs on somebody/something", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Tommy Tran

2021-01-04 03:01

Meaning of Keep (close) tabs on somebody/something

Synonyms:

keep an eye on , watch like a hawk , keep under observation

Keep (close) tabs on somebody/something informal verb phrase

To observe or monitor someone or something carefully to check what they are doing

Keep tabs on your neighbor. That guy is up to something.

Henry keeps tabs on the project to make sure everything is on track.

Other phrases about:

on someone's watch

While one is in a position of power and in charge of supervising someone or something

keep (someone or something) in check

If you say that you keep (someone or something) in check, you mean that you keep them under control.

Grammar and Usage of Keep (close) tabs on somebody/something

Verb Forms

keeping tabs on
keeps tabs on
kept tabs on

The verb "keep" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Keep (close) tabs on somebody/something

Bartender using a tablet to watch over customers. (Image Source: GettyImages)

The expression derived from America in the mid 19th century. Bartenders used a slate, which is also known as a tablet or a tab in short, to write down the drinks each customer had drank. Since the bartender had to watch each customer carefully to keep track of the number of drinks they had consumed, the expression began to have the meaning as we know it today.