释义 |
Definition of watch in English: watchverb wɒtʃ 1with object Look at or observe attentively over a period of time. no object as she watched, two women came into the garden with clause everyone stopped to watch what was going on Example sentencesExamples - Greg moved back, watching intently to see what could happen.
- Lying on the couch watching television, Denise's cordless phone began to ring.
- As they watched in silence, a pillow suddenly hit Chasity in the face.
- We all watched helplessly as the beast flew above us.
- In that 13-second time span, people just watched to see which one will become victorious.
- Flowers and wooden curios were thrown onto bonfires as their owners watched in disbelief.
- The match was watched by a crowd of 5,090 and an Oldham player was sent off in the second half.
- People just watched all the things I was taking out of my basket.
- They were sitting side by side on her couch watching reruns of an old show.
- Serena and I both pulled back, startled, and then watched in awe as they both started laughing.
- She was intently watching the television with a broad grin spread across her lively face.
- He watched in fascination as Nero, broken and bandaged, did the same.
- My dad and I used to watch the sunrise everyday.
- Ian and Craig just watched in horror, unable to comprehend what was going on.
- The crowd then watched in amazement as he freed himself in six and a half minutes.
- As soon as they reached a safe place to stand, everyone stopped and watched her.
- I watch with thinly veiled amusement as he insistently taps her on the shoulder.
- The red haired boy was watching in amused silence, and I poked him.
- For a brief moment all the fighting stopped as everyone watched one of the infantry barracks go up in a great ball of fire.
- He dodged, and then watched in amazement as it bounced off a tree but did not shatter.
Synonyms observe, view, look at, eye, gaze at, stare at, gape at, peer at contemplate, survey, feast one's eyes on, watch like a hawk, keep a weather eye on inspect, scrutinize, scan, examine, study, take in, take stock of, glance at see, notice, spot, glimpse, spy, catch sight of, lay one's eyes on, perceive, witness ogle, leer at, make eyes at pay attention to, regard, attend, take note of, mark informal check out, get a load of, recce, eyeball, not take one's eyes off British informal take a dekko at, take a butcher's at literary behold - 1.1 Keep under careful, protective, or secret observation.
there aren't enough staff to watch him properly he told me my telephones were tapped and that I was being watched Example sentencesExamples - I watched over her during the long hours of silence in the day, as she lay in bed, moving only when the pain made her seek a fresh position to attempt to relieve it.
- Bicycles are parked in special areas which are watched over by attendants, so your bike doesn't get nicked.
- The staff did their job down to the final detail, as their supervisor watched over them like a warden on an inmate.
- They were watched over by several hundred police officers, but no incidents were reported.
- In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father.
- Lydia has taken over the bed and is watched over by Eleanor and Libbie.
- I know they were there for my own protection, but I was sick of being watched over.
- All the inmates had to be protected and watched over, and any problems that arose would have to be sorted out at once.
- Richard, the owner, is on patrol duty and he watches the women protectively.
- A third robber, carrying a firearm, watched over him while the others continued the raid.
- You will probably be assisted on your trip around Libya by a guide and/or a driver and possibly watched over by a man from security.
- She felt she knew him, knew him intimately, that he personally protected her and watched over her.
- Infants are watched over constantly by their parents, who often take them to the tasks in which they are engaged.
- The large swimming pool on the podium roof is watched over by attendants who anticipate your every whim.
- The box, which appeared to be designed for air freight, was also watched over by a uniformed guard.
- But this was a public Internet bar that is possibly watched over by Internet security officers.
Synonyms spy on, keep watch on, keep an eye on, keep in sight, keep track of, track, monitor, survey, follow, keep under observation, keep under surveillance informal keep tabs on, keep a beady eye on, stake out rare surveil look after, mind, take care of, care for, supervise, superintend, tend, attend to, minister to, foster, nurse, guard, safeguard, protect informal keep an eye on guard, stand guard over, keep guard on, protect, shield, preserve, defend, safeguard, screen, shelter cover, patrol, police, picket, keep a lookout at - 1.2watch overno object Observe and guard in a protective way.
I guess I can rest a while, with you here to watch over me - 1.3 Follow closely or maintain an interest in.
the girls watched the development of this relationship with incredulity Example sentencesExamples - Members of the anti-war movement should be watching these developments closely.
- The South African government is watching developments in Zimbabwe closely.
- We will be watching them very closely as we value our green open land and believe this could be phase two of the development.
- It's going to be interesting to watch her development this summer in Golden.
- Big food firms are watching developments with keen interest.
- Personally, I'm not terribly shocked by any of this yet, but I'll be watching the fall-out with interest.
- Party leaders should realize that people are closely watching the politicians.
- So news of his consultations with the Chinese leadership was closely watched.
- Of course, no one watching the process closely ever expected anything different.
- So they will be watching very closely what the United States and other parties do.
- Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is watching events with particular interest.
- People all over the world are closely watching what is happening.
- The developments in Germany are closely watched by experts in the Netherlands.
- No Broadway or Hollywood actor, singer, or dancer worth watching escaped his pen.
- And I'm watching very closely to see if that's a real worry.
- We'll be watching that report and watching that decision as closely as we can, reading through it.
- Quebec First Nation leaders were watching the court decision closely, as were leaders across the country.
- A spokesman said it was watching developments with interest.
- No doubt other schools will be watching the results with interest.
- As such, the inflationary situation needs to be watched closely and there could be no room for complacency on this count.
2with object Exercise care, caution, or restraint about. most women watch their diet during pregnancy with clause you should watch what you say! Example sentencesExamples - If you start watching your diet along with exercising, you're sure to see changes in your figure.
- Health and physical energy is good but you need to take frequent breaks and watch your diet and fitness routines.
- She says she also watched her diet and took milk thistle, and that she continues those practices today.
- Despite good health, you need to take frequent breaks at work and watch your diet and fitness routines.
- The journey would take me many days, perhaps weeks, and I would have to be careful to watch my timing.
- Although I watched my diet and ate healthfully, I never deprived myself of any foods.
- The athletes were instructed to watch their diet and abstain from the debilitations of sex.
- He stays away from heavy weights - typically, 35 pounds per arm is his max - watches his diet and is in the gym nearly every day.
- They have begun to watch their diet by restricting the amount of fat they eat.
- She also provides advice for patients with medical conditions who have to watch their diet.
- In the end, I didn't want to spend the rest of my life watching my diet, taking supplements, having tests.
- When I first moved out here I lost a bunch of weight by biking to work and watching my diet.
- You need to watch the diet and, he says wryly, this is one publican that only rarely gets a chance to have a few pints.
- Nancy at times, when he got a little hefty would watch his diet.
- She kept her body slim and healthy with regular exercise and watching the amount of food she ate.
- I have been drinking it ever since, in addition to watching my diet and cutting out shellfish.
- Your mom is skinny like you and you always complain how she watches her diet so she doesn't gain weight.
- Be sure to watch your diet, the following nutrition tips might help reduce the problems.
- This means you must really watch your diet and you must also train weights so that you look lean and cut as much as possible.
- There aren't many people who have extra weight that workout/exercise regularly and watch their intake.
Synonyms be careful about/of, exercise care/caution/restraint about be aware of, pay attention to, consider, take into account/consideration, bear in mind, keep in mind mind, attend to, pay heed to - 2.1watch forno object Look out or be on the alert for.
in spring and summer, watch for kingfishers watch out for broken glass Example sentencesExamples - Desperate to attract talent, they will be watching for a surge in would-be spies.
- We are watching for the colder air to come over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes.
- Good housekeeping is a phrase Michael uses when he talks about watching for fire hazards in the home.
- Counselors should be watching for changes in behavior or increased irritability.
- I'd wait patiently, watching for a movement that would allow me to get it in my binoculars.
- Driver fatigue can occur on short trips too so be alert and watch for signs of tiredness.
- Patrick spun around twice, three times, waiting, watching for the next attack.
- His hens are also locked indoors and he is watching for signs of the virulent disease.
- His mother often sat upon the shore of the ocean and stared out across the sea, watching for a sign.
- He warily watches for signs of excessive consumption and hasn't had to crack down too hard yet.
- I carried on walking, watching for people who showed signs of pulling up on my double yellow lines.
- I can't wait to burn it up, and then watch for a decline in the planetary temperature.
- We will continue to do what we have been doing for the last 12 years, which is watching for missiles and tracking objects in orbit.
- Her function at the time would be to watch for the target and alert her master when he arrived.
- Her medical condition means she has to swim with an observer on the poolside, watching for the first sign of any fit or seizure.
Synonyms look out for, wait for, await, stand by for, hold back for anticipate, expect informal keep an eye open for - 2.2usually watch outno object, usually in imperative Be careful.
credit-card fraud is on the increase, so watch out Example sentencesExamples - But he warned pranksters to watch out as the fire service was taking action to cut figures by a further five per cent each year.
- Retailers in Kingston selling fireworks to underage youths in the run up to Guy Fawkes night had better watch out.
- So to all other bloggers out there: next time you're in a service station, watch out!
- We see him speaking with Budd, trying to convince him to watch out.
- Fans of the cards are being warned to watch out after two York youngsters bought cards on a trip to the seaside which turned out to be fakes.
- During one such meeting, the residents are warned that their house servants may be spies and to watch out.
- We'd suggest Lisa checks her locks and tells her friends to watch out.
- Those doing sedentary jobs watch out - you are eating more calories than you expend during the day.
- I should watch out though, after a few days of nerves I'm suddenly filled with a good feeling.
- They have to watch out and be really careful.
- Which are two things we usually tend to do both of, so we'll have to watch out.
Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive - 2.3watch it/yourselfinformal usually in imperative Be careful (used as a warning or threat)
if anyone finds out, you're dead meat, so watch it Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive
3archaic no object Remain awake for the purpose of religious observance. she watched whole nights in the church
noun wɒtʃ 1A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one's wrist. Example sentencesExamples - He has two watches on his left wrist, one looks expensive and keeps normal time, the other is digital and keeps training time.
- I have stopped wearing watches because time is really painful when you don't have your loved ones with you.
- However, clocks and watches suffered from a lack of precision in both operation and standardization.
- Trent's digital watch beeped moments later, just after the two had finished their breakfasts.
- I bought a digital watch for the first time in years because I was so struck with the phenomenon.
- Figuring things could go only one way from there, they immediately stopped their watches.
- He used his phone and his watch as an alarm clock, and he slept on an air mattress.
- Digital alarm clocks and watches operate weirdly and are often indecipherable.
- Me, I still wear my digital watch every day.
- Later, though, they curse me for being delayed in clocking out when the watches on their wrists clearly show it is time to go.
- I looked at my watch on my wrist and screamed when I saw the time.
- One cannot tell how long it takes him to calm down; the watches and clocks have stopped too.
- A safe was forced open and a very large quantity of antique gold watches were stolen.
- He felt around the side table for his watch and strapped it to his arm again before pressing a button on the side.
- Today we calibrate our watches with atomic clocks, but back then there was no timepiece more reliable than the rotating Earth itself.
- She pointed to the gold watch on her wrist.
- He strapped on his watch, so he'd take note of the time all day, and finally reached for his cell phone.
- Is it coincidence that our generation is infatuated with digital watches and clocks?
- They stole necklaces from around the necks of women, watches from around their wrists, money and mobile phones from their bags.
- He pulled his left arm away from her and checked the gleaming silver watch on his wrist.
Synonyms timepiece, chronometer, small clock, timer wristwatch, pocket watch, fob watch, digital watch, stopwatch 2usually in singular An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time. the security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities Example sentencesExamples - Some medicines can be used during pregnancy if the doctor keeps a careful watch on the mother.
- He kept a careful watch on her, knowing it was him who taught her everything she knows.
- Their 24-hour watch and the strict limits imposed on our activities weighed heavily on us.
- I want to raise one or two other things just as examples to assure the House that I have been keeping a close watch on its concerns.
- And families will need to keep a close watch on youngsters taking such drugs.
- So preoccupied were the bears that they paid no attention to us for the whole duration of our 1,5 hour watch.
- The site is heavily contaminated and a 24-hour watch is required to prevent fly tipping.
- He still kept a vigilant watch on him throughout the entire evening.
- In this case the cargo must be vented twice daily for thirty minutes each period with a careful watch kept on the delivery temperature.
- As always he kept a careful watch on David as he poked around the store, Craig had little trust in him.
- He must know that the police are keeping a close watch on the area.
- Medical staff are maintaining a close watch on the patient and his family are keeping a constant presence at his bedside.
- Umpires must keep a careful watch as to the position of the runners every time an outfielder makes a throw.
- I keep a vigilant watch but did not see any crimes being committed or miscreants around the premises.
- The international community will be keeping a close watch on the results.
- The Ottoman court in Istanbul was clearly keeping a close watch on developments in the western Atlantic.
- They kept a vigilant watch at the back but had to be on guard against the counter.
- My husband and I both keep quite a careful watch over what we will have to live on when we retire.
- This is one of two or three seats we hope to keep a careful watch on, when we hit the ground running next week!
- Instruction has been given to keep a close watch on the patient and to take necessary preventive measures if necessary.
Synonyms guard, vigil, lookout, an eye - 2.1 A period during which a person is stationed to look out for danger or trouble, typically at night.
Murray took the last watch before dawn Example sentencesExamples - He blinked, his foggy vision slowly clearing, and stood, realizing that the last watch of the night was over, and the king was awake.
- Another of the Scarlet mages who slew the Azure ones is camped very close to me, and had the dawn watch.
- Both of them would take a watch during the night, and would report anything strange to her at once.
- Ascending to the quarterdeck, he checked in with the man assigned the afternoon watch.
- It was an old trick that he had learnt in the jungles of South America from sentries on the midday watch.
- During the first watch of the night he acquired the power to look back through his previous existences, recalling them in full detail.
- 2.2 A fixed period of duty on a ship, usually lasting four hours.
sea air, lots of exercise, and four-hour watches give everyone a healthy appetite Example sentencesExamples - He glanced at his wrist chrono and saw that it was already about an hour into the next watch.
Synonyms shift, stint, spell, stretch, turn - 2.3 The officers and crew on duty during a watch.
Example sentencesExamples - I believe the steward is about to call the starboard watch to lunch, sir.
- 2.4 A shift worked by firefighters or police officers.
the men of Red Watch at Kingsland Fire Station Example sentencesExamples - Firefighters of blue watch at Sheffield Central fire station line up in front of one of their fire appliances.
Synonyms shift, stint, spell, stretch, turn - 2.5the watchhistorical A watchman or group of watchmen who patrolled and guarded the streets of a town before the introduction of the police force.
the woman, with a piercing shriek, called the watch
3informal in singular with adjective A film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public. this movie's an engrossing watch Example sentencesExamples - The winner of this year's Sundance Festival is edgy and no easy watch.
- On its own terms, it's a reasonable watch, though long at two hours and 20 minutes.
- The two earlier titles are a better watch than that film and Hours has its own not-too-stylish dark charm.
- Still, there is some explanation of why the cast was chosen, so it makes for an interesting watch.
- In the end, the strength of the performances sustains interest sufficiently to make it a worthwhile watch.
- For a film that carries so much brutality and pain this is a surprisingly easy watch.
- This film is a demanding watch, with a run time of just over two hours.
- Much like the deleted scenes, this feature is actually pretty funny and a worthwhile watch.
4rare A flock of nightingales. a watch of nightingales began flying south Example sentencesExamples - A habitat for a watch of nightingales could be created in Essex.
Phrases Be on the alert for something, especially a possible danger. he was already on the watch for any more suspicious moves Example sentencesExamples - If they had not been on the watch for raiders, they would have had time to find it beautiful.
- We also ask our church members and sympathetic local people to be on the watch for anything or anyone suspicious.
- Thus, in the future, commentators should be on the watch for federalism issues across a wide range of Court decision, implicating various amendments.
- What we ought to be doing is focusing our money and attention on identifying terrorists and their associates so we can be on the watch for these characters, not playing video games.
- If your child is having large amounts of diarrhea, be on the watch for signs of dehydration (a low level of body water).
- Practitioners should be careful to avoid these problems, and customers should be on the watch to avoid being victimized by them.
- These two new studies point to the need for parents and pediatricians to be on the watch for what might appear to be less serious breathing problems in their babies and young children when they sleep.
- ‘We must be on the watch for any revival of anti-Semitism, and ready to act against the new forms of it that are appearing today,’ Annan said.
- In these days when so many men are using cutting torches, the physician must be on the watch for acute lead poisoning.
- We should be on the watch, though, for commonalities which advance the project of thinking multiple traditions.
Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive
Stay on the lookout for danger or trouble. at the mouth of the stream, two young sentries kept watch Example sentencesExamples - Wily lookouts kept watch for German guards, calling out codewords as a warning.
- Even the guards who had been keeping watch outside were in the dark.
- The person who does most exercise at the complex now is the security guard keeping watch outside as the dust gathers.
- Uniformed guards called safer travel officers are keeping watch for trouble-makers.
- A guard will keep watch through a large cell window 24 hours a day.
- One thug brandishing a shotgun kept watch while the other three, armed with a machete and an iron bar, rushed inside and grabbed hundreds of Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches.
- One slumps back on his heels as an armed guard keeps watch.
- Some men stayed at the door keeping watch for Kane.
- I shall have the other guards keep watch for a little while.
- The safety of his clients especially the younger set were always Mick's priority and he always kept watch and had his workers on their toes to never accept any trouble or disturbances in his club.
Synonyms guard, vigil, lookout, an eye
watch one's (or someone's) back Protect oneself (or someone else) against danger from an unexpected quarter. life's too short to have to watch your back all the time I'll watch your back at this end—you can count on me
literary The hours of night, portrayed as a time when one cannot sleep. the long, silent watches of the night Example sentencesExamples - In the watches of the night, the surface lure is well worth a try.
- My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
- The psalms also encourage us to meditate on God's law in the watches of the night.
- Both the Bible and the ‘Boy Who Lived’ proved good company during the watches of the night.
- If we should go into all that occupied our friend in the watches of the night we should have to mend our pen; but an instance or two may mark for us the vividness with which he could remember.
Ensure that one is aware of the time in order to avoid being late. Example sentencesExamples - Clicking through the stations, he tried to relax instead of watching the time.
- We were all over at Kylie's, and I wasn't really watching the time.
- ‘Well, I better be going,’ he said, as if he had been watching the time.
- I shook my head thinking that I needed to watch the time better when programming.
- She mentally scolded herself for being so stupid so as not to watch the time and she made a promise with herself that she would never make that mistake again.
- I have been watching the time quite carefully, and I have seen that this debate on the title has gone on for a fraction over an hour.
- She talks about continually watching the time to ensure that they are home by 7pm.
- I have to watch the time closely, though, so I don't get too involved in what I'm watching and loose track of time.
- ‘All right, but only fifteen minutes, and I'll be watching the time too, so don't think you can get away with anything,’ he said, handing over his precious car keys to his younger brother.
- Well, I know in the world we have to watch the time and be aware of what's going on and schedule our lives, but time is excruciating pain when you're waiting and hoping for answers.
Spend time observing other people going about their business. I love sitting here and watching the world go by Example sentencesExamples - Normally, in this situation, I enjoy just sitting, watching the world go by.
- With everything I could possibly want so close to hand, I began spending whole days sitting out there, watching the world go by.
- Thousands of visitors every year come to enjoy the huge range of activities available; from sailing to sunbathing; birdwatching to bicycling and waterskiing to just watching the world go by.
- The only shame was that we had to go back to work, and couldn't spend all afternoon watching the world go by, from the comfort of the leather sofa!
- It is idyllic to sit on an early summer's evening with cocktail in hand, watching the world go by.
- I spent a leisurely morning sipping coffee and watching the world go by on the sidewalk near Venice Beach.
- How much of the woman's life was spent on that chair watching the world go by?
- I like standing on my step watching the world go by and I was forever seeing her walking these two donkeys of hers around the village.
- What I came to enjoy about the place was just sitting on that stair, having cups of tea and watching the world go by.
- I spent an entertaining 15 minutes sitting in the shopping centre watching the world go by.
Origin Old English wæcce 'watchfulness', wæccende 'remaining awake'; related to wake1. The sense 'small timepiece' probably developed by way of a sense 'alarm device attached to a clock'. In Old English watch meant ‘to be or remain awake’, and it is from the same root as wake (Old English) and awake (Old English). The connection with timepieces arose because in the 15th century the first watches were alarm clocks of some kind, whose function was to wake you up. The watches of the night are the hours of night, especially as a time when you cannot sleep. This watch was one of the periods into which the night was divided for the purposes of guard duty. The link with insomnia first appears in the writings of Sir Walter Scott, who wrote in his journal for January 1826: ‘The watches of the night pass wearily when disturbed by fruitless regrets.’
Rhymes blotch, botch, crotch, notch, outwatch, scotch, splotch, swatch, topnotch Definition of watch in US English: watchverb 1with object Look at or observe attentively over a period of time. no object as she watched, two women came into the garden with clause everyone stopped to watch what was going on Example sentencesExamples - People just watched all the things I was taking out of my basket.
- The crowd then watched in amazement as he freed himself in six and a half minutes.
- The match was watched by a crowd of 5,090 and an Oldham player was sent off in the second half.
- I watch with thinly veiled amusement as he insistently taps her on the shoulder.
- My dad and I used to watch the sunrise everyday.
- He dodged, and then watched in amazement as it bounced off a tree but did not shatter.
- They were sitting side by side on her couch watching reruns of an old show.
- She was intently watching the television with a broad grin spread across her lively face.
- Flowers and wooden curios were thrown onto bonfires as their owners watched in disbelief.
- He watched in fascination as Nero, broken and bandaged, did the same.
- Serena and I both pulled back, startled, and then watched in awe as they both started laughing.
- Ian and Craig just watched in horror, unable to comprehend what was going on.
- The red haired boy was watching in amused silence, and I poked him.
- Lying on the couch watching television, Denise's cordless phone began to ring.
- As they watched in silence, a pillow suddenly hit Chasity in the face.
- In that 13-second time span, people just watched to see which one will become victorious.
- Greg moved back, watching intently to see what could happen.
- As soon as they reached a safe place to stand, everyone stopped and watched her.
- We all watched helplessly as the beast flew above us.
- For a brief moment all the fighting stopped as everyone watched one of the infantry barracks go up in a great ball of fire.
Synonyms observe, view, look at, eye, gaze at, stare at, gape at, peer at - 1.1 Keep under careful, protective, or secret observation.
there aren't enough staff to watch him properly he told me my telephones were tapped and I was being watched Example sentencesExamples - Richard, the owner, is on patrol duty and he watches the women protectively.
- You will probably be assisted on your trip around Libya by a guide and/or a driver and possibly watched over by a man from security.
- Infants are watched over constantly by their parents, who often take them to the tasks in which they are engaged.
- I watched over her during the long hours of silence in the day, as she lay in bed, moving only when the pain made her seek a fresh position to attempt to relieve it.
- The large swimming pool on the podium roof is watched over by attendants who anticipate your every whim.
- The staff did their job down to the final detail, as their supervisor watched over them like a warden on an inmate.
- In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father.
- Bicycles are parked in special areas which are watched over by attendants, so your bike doesn't get nicked.
- They were watched over by several hundred police officers, but no incidents were reported.
- All the inmates had to be protected and watched over, and any problems that arose would have to be sorted out at once.
- But this was a public Internet bar that is possibly watched over by Internet security officers.
- Lydia has taken over the bed and is watched over by Eleanor and Libbie.
- The box, which appeared to be designed for air freight, was also watched over by a uniformed guard.
- She felt she knew him, knew him intimately, that he personally protected her and watched over her.
- A third robber, carrying a firearm, watched over him while the others continued the raid.
- I know they were there for my own protection, but I was sick of being watched over.
Synonyms spy on, keep watch on, keep an eye on, keep in sight, keep track of, track, monitor, survey, follow, keep under observation, keep under surveillance look after, mind, take care of, care for, supervise, superintend, tend, attend to, minister to, foster, nurse, guard, safeguard, protect guard, stand guard over, keep guard on, protect, shield, preserve, defend, safeguard, screen, shelter - 1.2watch overno object Observe and guard in a protective way.
I guess I can rest a while, with you here to watch over me - 1.3 Follow closely or maintain an interest in.
the girls watched the development of this relationship with incredulity Example sentencesExamples - As such, the inflationary situation needs to be watched closely and there could be no room for complacency on this count.
- Personally, I'm not terribly shocked by any of this yet, but I'll be watching the fall-out with interest.
- Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is watching events with particular interest.
- Party leaders should realize that people are closely watching the politicians.
- So they will be watching very closely what the United States and other parties do.
- And I'm watching very closely to see if that's a real worry.
- No doubt other schools will be watching the results with interest.
- A spokesman said it was watching developments with interest.
- Big food firms are watching developments with keen interest.
- It's going to be interesting to watch her development this summer in Golden.
- We'll be watching that report and watching that decision as closely as we can, reading through it.
- So news of his consultations with the Chinese leadership was closely watched.
- Of course, no one watching the process closely ever expected anything different.
- We will be watching them very closely as we value our green open land and believe this could be phase two of the development.
- No Broadway or Hollywood actor, singer, or dancer worth watching escaped his pen.
- The developments in Germany are closely watched by experts in the Netherlands.
- Members of the anti-war movement should be watching these developments closely.
- The South African government is watching developments in Zimbabwe closely.
- Quebec First Nation leaders were watching the court decision closely, as were leaders across the country.
- People all over the world are closely watching what is happening.
2Exercise care, caution, or restraint about. most women watch their diet during pregnancy with clause you should watch what you say! Example sentencesExamples - Your mom is skinny like you and you always complain how she watches her diet so she doesn't gain weight.
- They have begun to watch their diet by restricting the amount of fat they eat.
- There aren't many people who have extra weight that workout/exercise regularly and watch their intake.
- Despite good health, you need to take frequent breaks at work and watch your diet and fitness routines.
- She kept her body slim and healthy with regular exercise and watching the amount of food she ate.
- Be sure to watch your diet, the following nutrition tips might help reduce the problems.
- Nancy at times, when he got a little hefty would watch his diet.
- Although I watched my diet and ate healthfully, I never deprived myself of any foods.
- The athletes were instructed to watch their diet and abstain from the debilitations of sex.
- She says she also watched her diet and took milk thistle, and that she continues those practices today.
- You need to watch the diet and, he says wryly, this is one publican that only rarely gets a chance to have a few pints.
- I have been drinking it ever since, in addition to watching my diet and cutting out shellfish.
- This means you must really watch your diet and you must also train weights so that you look lean and cut as much as possible.
- If you start watching your diet along with exercising, you're sure to see changes in your figure.
- She also provides advice for patients with medical conditions who have to watch their diet.
- The journey would take me many days, perhaps weeks, and I would have to be careful to watch my timing.
- When I first moved out here I lost a bunch of weight by biking to work and watching my diet.
- In the end, I didn't want to spend the rest of my life watching my diet, taking supplements, having tests.
- Health and physical energy is good but you need to take frequent breaks and watch your diet and fitness routines.
- He stays away from heavy weights - typically, 35 pounds per arm is his max - watches his diet and is in the gym nearly every day.
Synonyms be careful about, be careful of, exercise care about, exercise caution about, exercise restraint about - 2.1watch forno object Look out or be on the alert for.
in spring and summer, watch for kingfishers watch out for broken glass Example sentencesExamples - Patrick spun around twice, three times, waiting, watching for the next attack.
- Her function at the time would be to watch for the target and alert her master when he arrived.
- Counselors should be watching for changes in behavior or increased irritability.
- He warily watches for signs of excessive consumption and hasn't had to crack down too hard yet.
- I'd wait patiently, watching for a movement that would allow me to get it in my binoculars.
- Good housekeeping is a phrase Michael uses when he talks about watching for fire hazards in the home.
- Her medical condition means she has to swim with an observer on the poolside, watching for the first sign of any fit or seizure.
- I carried on walking, watching for people who showed signs of pulling up on my double yellow lines.
- We are watching for the colder air to come over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes.
- His hens are also locked indoors and he is watching for signs of the virulent disease.
- I can't wait to burn it up, and then watch for a decline in the planetary temperature.
- Desperate to attract talent, they will be watching for a surge in would-be spies.
- Driver fatigue can occur on short trips too so be alert and watch for signs of tiredness.
- We will continue to do what we have been doing for the last 12 years, which is watching for missiles and tracking objects in orbit.
- His mother often sat upon the shore of the ocean and stared out across the sea, watching for a sign.
Synonyms look out for, wait for, await, stand by for, hold back for - 2.2watch outno object, usually in imperative Be careful.
credit-card fraud is on the increase, so watch out Example sentencesExamples - Those doing sedentary jobs watch out - you are eating more calories than you expend during the day.
- They have to watch out and be really careful.
- Retailers in Kingston selling fireworks to underage youths in the run up to Guy Fawkes night had better watch out.
- But he warned pranksters to watch out as the fire service was taking action to cut figures by a further five per cent each year.
- Which are two things we usually tend to do both of, so we'll have to watch out.
- During one such meeting, the residents are warned that their house servants may be spies and to watch out.
- So to all other bloggers out there: next time you're in a service station, watch out!
- I should watch out though, after a few days of nerves I'm suddenly filled with a good feeling.
- We'd suggest Lisa checks her locks and tells her friends to watch out.
- Fans of the cards are being warned to watch out after two York youngsters bought cards on a trip to the seaside which turned out to be fakes.
- We see him speaking with Budd, trying to convince him to watch out.
Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive - 2.3watch it/yourselfinformal usually in imperative Be careful (used as a warning or threat)
if anyone finds out, you're dead meat, so watch it Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive
3archaic no object Remain awake for the purpose of religious observance. she watched whole nights in the church
noun 1A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one's wrist. Example sentencesExamples - Later, though, they curse me for being delayed in clocking out when the watches on their wrists clearly show it is time to go.
- A safe was forced open and a very large quantity of antique gold watches were stolen.
- I bought a digital watch for the first time in years because I was so struck with the phenomenon.
- They stole necklaces from around the necks of women, watches from around their wrists, money and mobile phones from their bags.
- He felt around the side table for his watch and strapped it to his arm again before pressing a button on the side.
- However, clocks and watches suffered from a lack of precision in both operation and standardization.
- Me, I still wear my digital watch every day.
- Figuring things could go only one way from there, they immediately stopped their watches.
- He has two watches on his left wrist, one looks expensive and keeps normal time, the other is digital and keeps training time.
- He used his phone and his watch as an alarm clock, and he slept on an air mattress.
- Is it coincidence that our generation is infatuated with digital watches and clocks?
- He strapped on his watch, so he'd take note of the time all day, and finally reached for his cell phone.
- Today we calibrate our watches with atomic clocks, but back then there was no timepiece more reliable than the rotating Earth itself.
- One cannot tell how long it takes him to calm down; the watches and clocks have stopped too.
- Trent's digital watch beeped moments later, just after the two had finished their breakfasts.
- I looked at my watch on my wrist and screamed when I saw the time.
- He pulled his left arm away from her and checked the gleaming silver watch on his wrist.
- Digital alarm clocks and watches operate weirdly and are often indecipherable.
- She pointed to the gold watch on her wrist.
- I have stopped wearing watches because time is really painful when you don't have your loved ones with you.
Synonyms timepiece, chronometer, small clock, timer 2usually in singular An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time. the security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities Example sentencesExamples - I keep a vigilant watch but did not see any crimes being committed or miscreants around the premises.
- The international community will be keeping a close watch on the results.
- The site is heavily contaminated and a 24-hour watch is required to prevent fly tipping.
- They kept a vigilant watch at the back but had to be on guard against the counter.
- This is one of two or three seats we hope to keep a careful watch on, when we hit the ground running next week!
- The Ottoman court in Istanbul was clearly keeping a close watch on developments in the western Atlantic.
- My husband and I both keep quite a careful watch over what we will have to live on when we retire.
- He must know that the police are keeping a close watch on the area.
- And families will need to keep a close watch on youngsters taking such drugs.
- Medical staff are maintaining a close watch on the patient and his family are keeping a constant presence at his bedside.
- He still kept a vigilant watch on him throughout the entire evening.
- As always he kept a careful watch on David as he poked around the store, Craig had little trust in him.
- I want to raise one or two other things just as examples to assure the House that I have been keeping a close watch on its concerns.
- Umpires must keep a careful watch as to the position of the runners every time an outfielder makes a throw.
- In this case the cargo must be vented twice daily for thirty minutes each period with a careful watch kept on the delivery temperature.
- So preoccupied were the bears that they paid no attention to us for the whole duration of our 1,5 hour watch.
- Their 24-hour watch and the strict limits imposed on our activities weighed heavily on us.
- He kept a careful watch on her, knowing it was him who taught her everything she knows.
- Instruction has been given to keep a close watch on the patient and to take necessary preventive measures if necessary.
- Some medicines can be used during pregnancy if the doctor keeps a careful watch on the mother.
Synonyms guard, vigil, lookout, an eye - 2.1 A period of vigil during which a person is stationed to look out for danger or trouble, typically during the night.
Murray took the last watch before dawn Example sentencesExamples - Both of them would take a watch during the night, and would report anything strange to her at once.
- He blinked, his foggy vision slowly clearing, and stood, realizing that the last watch of the night was over, and the king was awake.
- It was an old trick that he had learnt in the jungles of South America from sentries on the midday watch.
- Ascending to the quarterdeck, he checked in with the man assigned the afternoon watch.
- During the first watch of the night he acquired the power to look back through his previous existences, recalling them in full detail.
- Another of the Scarlet mages who slew the Azure ones is camped very close to me, and had the dawn watch.
- 2.2 A fixed period of duty on a ship, usually lasting four hours.
Example sentencesExamples - He glanced at his wrist chrono and saw that it was already about an hour into the next watch.
Synonyms shift, stint, spell, stretch, turn - 2.3 The officers and crew on duty during a watch.
Example sentencesExamples - I believe the steward is about to call the starboard watch to lunch, sir.
- 2.4usually the watchhistorical A watchman or group of watchmen who patrolled and guarded the streets of a town before the introduction of the police force.
- 2.5 A body of soldiers making up a guard.
Example sentencesExamples - After a dinner of smoked salmon most of the watch enjoyed a quiet night, despite the contingency plans for millennium meltdown.
Phrases Be carefully looking out for something, especially a possible danger. Example sentencesExamples - We also ask our church members and sympathetic local people to be on the watch for anything or anyone suspicious.
- Practitioners should be careful to avoid these problems, and customers should be on the watch to avoid being victimized by them.
- If they had not been on the watch for raiders, they would have had time to find it beautiful.
- ‘We must be on the watch for any revival of anti-Semitism, and ready to act against the new forms of it that are appearing today,’ Annan said.
- Thus, in the future, commentators should be on the watch for federalism issues across a wide range of Court decision, implicating various amendments.
- These two new studies point to the need for parents and pediatricians to be on the watch for what might appear to be less serious breathing problems in their babies and young children when they sleep.
- If your child is having large amounts of diarrhea, be on the watch for signs of dehydration (a low level of body water).
- In these days when so many men are using cutting torches, the physician must be on the watch for acute lead poisoning.
- What we ought to be doing is focusing our money and attention on identifying terrorists and their associates so we can be on the watch for these characters, not playing video games.
- We should be on the watch, though, for commonalities which advance the project of thinking multiple traditions.
Synonyms be careful, be watchful, beware, be on the watch, be wary, be cautious, be on your guard, mind out, look out, pay attention, take care, take heed, have a care, be on the alert, be on the lookout, keep a sharp lookout, be vigilant, be on the qui vive
Stay on the lookout for danger or trouble. Example sentencesExamples - The person who does most exercise at the complex now is the security guard keeping watch outside as the dust gathers.
- One slumps back on his heels as an armed guard keeps watch.
- Wily lookouts kept watch for German guards, calling out codewords as a warning.
- Uniformed guards called safer travel officers are keeping watch for trouble-makers.
- One thug brandishing a shotgun kept watch while the other three, armed with a machete and an iron bar, rushed inside and grabbed hundreds of Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches.
- Some men stayed at the door keeping watch for Kane.
- I shall have the other guards keep watch for a little while.
- A guard will keep watch through a large cell window 24 hours a day.
- Even the guards who had been keeping watch outside were in the dark.
- The safety of his clients especially the younger set were always Mick's priority and he always kept watch and had his workers on their toes to never accept any trouble or disturbances in his club.
Synonyms guard, vigil, lookout, an eye
watch one's (or someone's) back Protect oneself (or someone else) against danger from an unexpected source. Because the industry is largely unregulated, you need to watch your back Be careful, Ian. I'll watch your back
literary The hours of night, portrayed as a time when one cannot sleep. Example sentencesExamples - My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
- The psalms also encourage us to meditate on God's law in the watches of the night.
- In the watches of the night, the surface lure is well worth a try.
- If we should go into all that occupied our friend in the watches of the night we should have to mend our pen; but an instance or two may mark for us the vividness with which he could remember.
- Both the Bible and the ‘Boy Who Lived’ proved good company during the watches of the night.
Ensure that one is aware of the time in order to avoid being late. Example sentencesExamples - Well, I know in the world we have to watch the time and be aware of what's going on and schedule our lives, but time is excruciating pain when you're waiting and hoping for answers.
- ‘Well, I better be going,’ he said, as if he had been watching the time.
- She mentally scolded herself for being so stupid so as not to watch the time and she made a promise with herself that she would never make that mistake again.
- She talks about continually watching the time to ensure that they are home by 7pm.
- ‘All right, but only fifteen minutes, and I'll be watching the time too, so don't think you can get away with anything,’ he said, handing over his precious car keys to his younger brother.
- We were all over at Kylie's, and I wasn't really watching the time.
- I have to watch the time closely, though, so I don't get too involved in what I'm watching and loose track of time.
- I have been watching the time quite carefully, and I have seen that this debate on the title has gone on for a fraction over an hour.
- Clicking through the stations, he tried to relax instead of watching the time.
- I shook my head thinking that I needed to watch the time better when programming.
Origin Old English wæcce ‘watchfulness’, wæccende ‘remaining awake’; related to wake. The sense ‘small timepiece’ probably developed by way of a sense ‘alarm device attached to a clock’. |