phrasal verb · informal
keep tabs on
UK/kiːp tæbz ɒn/US/kiːp tæbz ɑn/KEEP·TABS·on
speakingtask2
to watch or monitor someone or something
Examples
“Parents often keep tabs on their teenagers' social media.”
“The manager keeps tabs on monthly expenses.”
“I keep tabs on ticket prices before I decide to buy.”
Band 8 sentence
“Teachers should keep tabs on students' participation to identify those who might need extra support.”
Collocations
- keep tabs on progress
- keep tabs on prices
Word family
keep tabs on verbkeeps tabs on verbkept tabs on verbkeeping tabs on verb
Common mistakes
keep tab on→keep tabs on
keep tabs of→keep tabs on
Say it for a higher band
5watch→6monitor→7+keep tabs on
Synonyms
monitor
keep an eye on
Easily confused
keep an eye on
“Could you keep an eye on my bag while I buy coffee?”
monitor
“The authorities monitor air quality in real time.”
Related words
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In keep …
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