في 15 ثانية
- Keep a very close watch on something or someone.
- Used for protection, monitoring, or intense interest.
- Equivalent to 'keeping an eye out' in English.
المعنى
This phrase means to keep a close, watchful eye on something or someone. It is often used when you are monitoring something important or making sure nothing goes wrong.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At a busy cafe
Pode tirar o olho na minha bolsa enquanto vou ao banheiro?
Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the bathroom?
A mother at the playground
Eu não tiro o olho nas crianças nem por um segundo.
I don't take my eye off the kids for even a second.
In a professional meeting
Precisamos tirar o olho na concorrência este mês.
We need to keep an eye on the competition this month.
خلفية ثقافية
This idiom is deeply rooted in the protective nature of Portuguese-speaking cultures. It reflects a society where looking out for one's belongings and community is a daily habit. It also subtly connects to the Mediterranean/Latin concept of the 'evil eye,' where keeping watch is a form of spiritual or physical protection.
The 'Em' Secret
Always remember to use 'em' (or its contractions like 'no/na'). Without it, the sentence sounds incomplete to a native ear.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have an eye injury! Stick to social contexts.
في 15 ثانية
- Keep a very close watch on something or someone.
- Used for protection, monitoring, or intense interest.
- Equivalent to 'keeping an eye out' in English.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a party. You have a drink on the table. You don't want anyone to take it. You are 'taking your eye' to it. It means constant surveillance. It is active watching, not passive seeing. You are focused. You are alert.
How To Use It
You use it with the preposition em. You say tirar o olho em followed by the object. It is very common in spoken Portuguese. It works for people, objects, or situations. You can use it for your luggage at the airport. You can use it for your kids at the park. It is a very versatile expression.
When To Use It
Use it when safety is a concern. Use it when you are curious about something. Use it at work when monitoring a project. It is perfect for texting a friend to watch your seat. Use it when you are suspicious of someone's behavior. It fits perfectly in everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in very formal legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a contract. Avoid it if you mean 'to look' quickly. This phrase implies duration. If you just glanced once, this isn't the phrase. Also, don't use it if you literally want to remove an eye. That would be a very different conversation.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture is very social and observant. People watch out for each other. This phrase reflects that constant awareness. It likely comes from the idea of 'fixing' your gaze. In Brazil, it is often linked to protection. It is about preventing 'eye' (mal olhado) or theft. It is a survival phrase for busy cities.
Common Variations
You might hear ficar de olho. This is the most common cousin. You might also hear não tirar o olho. This means you are staring intensely. Both carry the same weight of attention. Pôr o olho is more about noticing something for the first time.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is best suited for informal and neutral settings. It is highly effective in spoken Portuguese to show you are being responsible or attentive.
The 'Em' Secret
Always remember to use 'em' (or its contractions like 'no/na'). Without it, the sentence sounds incomplete to a native ear.
Don't be too literal
If you say this to a doctor, they might think you have an eye injury! Stick to social contexts.
Regional Flavor
In some parts of Brazil, people say 'dar uma olhada', but 'tirar o olho' implies a much more intense and continuous gaze.
أمثلة
6Pode tirar o olho na minha bolsa enquanto vou ao banheiro?
Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the bathroom?
A very common request among friends in public spaces.
Eu não tiro o olho nas crianças nem por um segundo.
I don't take my eye off the kids for even a second.
Shows constant, protective surveillance.
Precisamos tirar o olho na concorrência este mês.
We need to keep an eye on the competition this month.
Used here to mean monitoring market moves.
Vi que você estava tirando o olho naquele rapaz!
I saw you were keeping an eye on that guy!
Used playfully to suggest romantic interest.
Estou tirando o olho no portão para ver se a encomenda chega.
I'm keeping an eye on the gate to see if the package arrives.
Describes waiting with anticipation.
Tira o olho naquele homem ali, ele parece estranho.
Keep an eye on that man there, he looks strange.
A warning to stay alert.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
Você pode tirar o olho ___ meu carro?
The phrase uses 'em' (in/on), which contracts with the article 'o' to become 'no'.
Which verb completes the idiom meaning 'to keep an eye'?
Eu vou ___ o olho na panela para a comida não queimar.
'Tirar o olho' is the specific idiom for monitoring something closely.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Tirar o olho'
Talking to friends or family.
Tira o olho no meu suco!
Daily interactions with strangers.
Pode tirar o olho na mala?
Business or official settings.
Monitorar (Better alternative)
When to keep your eye on it
Security
Watching your luggage
Romance
Checking out a crush
Cooking
Watching the stove
Business
Watching the stock market
بنك التمارين
2 تمارينVocê pode tirar o olho ___ meu carro?
The phrase uses 'em' (in/on), which contracts with the article 'o' to become 'no'.
Eu vou ___ o olho na panela para a comida não queimar.
'Tirar o olho' is the specific idiom for monitoring something closely.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot necessarily staring in a rude way, but it means you are paying very close attention. For example, Tirar o olho no trânsito means being a very careful driver.
Yes, it can mean watching someone for safety or because you find them attractive. Tirar o olho na criança is for safety, while Tirar o olho no gatinho is for attraction.
They are very similar! Ficar de olho is slightly more common, but tirar o olho sounds a bit more active and focused.
It is informal, but not quite slang. You can use it with your boss in a relaxed office, but maybe not in a court of law.
You conjugate the verb tirar normally. For example: Eu tiro, Você tira, Nós tiramos.
Yes, Não tirar o olho is very common. It means you are absolutely glued to something, like Não tiro o olho no celular (I don't take my eyes off my phone).
Forgetting the preposition em. Saying Tirar o olho a mala is incorrect; it must be Tirar o olho na mala.
Yes, it is understood in both, though Brazil uses variations like ficar de olho more frequently in daily speech.
No, it never means stealing. It only refers to the act of looking or watching.
Sometimes people point to their eye with their index finger while saying it to emphasize they are watching.
عبارات ذات صلة
Ficar de olho
Comer com os olhos
Abrir o olho
Dar uma olhadinha
Vigiar
