Meaning
To remain alert or watchful.
Cultural Background
Alertness is often paired with 'ears' (চোখ-কান খোলা রাখা) to emphasize total sensory awareness in a busy environment. In villages, keeping eyes open is associated with guarding crops from animals or watching for snakes in the grass. In these mega-cities, the idiom is a survival tool against pickpockets and chaotic traffic. Entrepreneurs use this to mean staying ahead of market trends and competitors.
Use with 'Uchit'
Pair it with 'uchit' (should) to give soft advice: 'Chokh khola rakha uchit'.
Don't use plural
Avoid saying 'chokh-gulo' (eyes) as it makes the idiom sound like a literal medical instruction.
Meaning
To remain alert or watchful.
Use with 'Uchit'
Pair it with 'uchit' (should) to give soft advice: 'Chokh khola rakha uchit'.
Don't use plural
Avoid saying 'chokh-gulo' (eyes) as it makes the idiom sound like a literal medical instruction.
Intensify it
Add 'kan' (ear) to make it 'Chokh-kan khola rakha' for maximum emphasis on alertness.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
রাস্তায় হাঁটার সময় আমাদের ______ রাখা উচিত।
The idiom for being alert is 'চোখ খোলা রাখা'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of being alert for opportunities.
Match the situation with the advice.
Match the following:
In a crowded market, you need to be alert (চোখ খোলা রাখা).
Complete the dialogue.
A: এই শহরটা নতুন, আমি কি একা ঘুরতে পারি? B: হ্যাঁ, তবে ______।
The advice for a new city is to stay alert.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesরাস্তায় হাঁটার সময় আমাদের ______ রাখা উচিত।
The idiom for being alert is 'চোখ খোলা রাখা'.
Choose the correct sentence:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of being alert for opportunities.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
In a crowded market, you need to be alert (চোখ খোলা রাখা).
A: এই শহরটা নতুন, আমি কি একা ঘুরতে পারি? B: হ্যাঁ, তবে ______।
The advice for a new city is to stay alert.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly yes, but it also means being observant for opportunities, like a good deal or a job.
Yes, it is neutral enough for professional advice, though 'sotorko thaka' is more formal.
No, 'looking' is 'dekha'. This is about a state of mind—being ready and aware.
Many Bengali idioms use singular body parts to represent the whole concept. It's just a linguistic convention.
No, that sounds like 'Open your eyes' (literally). Use 'rakha' for the idiom.
Yes, many Bengali songs use it to talk about awareness of the world or beauty.
The opposite would be 'chokh bondho rakha' (keeping eyes closed), which means being ignorant or indifferent.
Yes, it is equally common and understood in both regions.
Absolutely, it's very common for parents to say this to children.
It becomes 'Amra chokh khola rakhi'.
Related Phrases
চোখ রাখা
similarTo keep an eye on something specific.
চোখ-কান খোলা রাখা
builds onTo keep eyes and ears open.
চোখ পাকানো
contrastTo glare in anger.
চোখ কপালে তোলা
contrastTo be extremely surprised.
