keeping one's eyes peeled
Remaining highly alert
To keep one's eyes peeled is to watch carefully or stay alert for something.
The image is of eyelids held wide open, unable to close: Keep your eyes peeled for a gas station.
The phrase typically precedes *for* and whatever one is watching for.
Also *keep one's eyes skinned*, though this variant is less common.
- on the lookoutActively seeking or guarding
- noticingBecoming aware of
- detectingPerceiving something present
- paying attentionDirecting focus toward something
- preparednessState of being equipped
alertness · look alive · inspecting · attentiveness · situational awareness · scanning · eyes wide open · wide awake · vigilance · watchfulness · sharp eye · carefulness · scrutiny · eagle-eyed · readiness · bracing · perceiving · recognizing
keeping one's eyes peeledzoning out
Losing conscious attention temporarily
spacing out · daydreaming · not paying attention · tuning out · napping
keeping one's eyes peeledignoring
Deliberately not noticing
overlooking · disregarding · turning a blind eye · looking the other way · missing
keeper, keepers, keeping, safekeeping, eyeing, eyeless, eyelid, peeled, peeler