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Triniglish|Trinididioms Spoken and Explained #54
"Throw an Eye"|Yuh is ah Trini

I was listening to the radio this morning when I heard "The Juice" talking about the good ole days mention the fact that sometimes when we left our homes for a short while we asked the neighbor to "throw an eye on de place until ah come back nah".  Now that is classic Trinidad in the good ole days when life was relaxed and people looked out for each other. Not again ... that very same neighbor today may very well make a call and have your home robbed.

That was a bit extreme but it is quite possible. Now one may ask what is the meaning of the phrase, "throw an eye"? Well it should be noted that the phrase is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago and is used in other parts of the world. However, it has a special feel when used by a Trini.  Take for instance that you are at home and need to "run down to the parlour" to get something. The house is open but you don't want to lock down everything simply to go around the corner to the parlor. Well that is where your neighbor comes in. 

"Neighb, neighb do meh ah favor please..." "Throw an eye on the hour for meh nah; ah jus' wanna get somethin' in de parlour."

Now if you and your neighbor are really good friends nothing else is required or she/he may even ask you to pick up something in the shop/parlour for them.  

So when this neighbor "throws an eye" on the house for you there is a sense of peace and security that all will be the same when you return home. To 'throw an eye" simply means "to look at, keep an eye on, give a glance at" and its sole purpose is to ensure that all remains the same until the owner returns home. 

You can 'throw an eye' on the house, on the 'chile', the dog or anything that is considered important to ask the favor of from someone (usually a friend or someone that you trust). So remember to 'throw an eye' on your neighbor's property even if they don't ask because the same good dded could be returned in your favor one day.