Phrase guide

keep one's eyes peeled

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To be on the alert, to be watchful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

pay attention; be watchful

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Keep your eyes peeled for any policemen

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: keep one's eyes skinned, keep one's eyes open

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: watch, look out, watch out

History

Etymology

US, 19th century. Peeled probably refers to keeping one's eyelids retracted.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: holde øjnene åbne — to be watchful
  • Dutch: zijn ogen de kost geven — to be watchful
  • Finnish: pitää varansa — to be watchful
  • Finnish: pitää silmällä — to be watchful
  • French: être attentif — to be watchful
  • French: être vigilant — to be watchful
  • French: être sur ses gardes — to be watchful
  • German: die Augen offen halten — to be watchful
  • Italian: tenere gli occhi ben aperti — to be watchful
  • Polish: mieć oczy dookoła głowy — to be watchful
  • Polish: mieć oczy szeroko otwarte — to be watchful
  • Polish: mieć się na baczności — to be watchful
  • Spanish: mantener los ojos bien abiertos — to be watchful