Phrase guide

keep tabs on

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 monitor; to keep track of; to watch.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • If you are careful to keep tabs on your finances, you should be able to stay within a budget.
  • The police kept close tabs on him during the holidays.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

keep a record on or watch attentively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The government keeps tabs on the dissidents

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: watch, observe, follow, watch over, keep an eye on

History

Etymology

See tab (“tablet or slate used for keeping a record of accounts”).