Idioms for watch

    on the watch, vigilant; alert: The hunter was on the watch for game.
    watch oneself,
    1. to be cautious.
    2. to practice discretion or self-restraint.

Origin of watch

before 900; 1580–90 for def 15; (v.) Middle English wacchen, Old English wæccan, doublet of wacian to be awake (see wake1); (noun) Middle English wacche, Old English wæcce, derivative of wæccan

SYNONYMS FOR watch

1 Watch, look, see imply being aware of things around one by perceiving them through the eyes. To watch is to be a spectator, to look on or observe, or to fix the attention upon during passage of time: to watch while a procession passes. To look is to direct the gaze with the intention of seeing, to use the eyesight with attention: to look for violets in the spring; to look at articles displayed for sale. To see is to perceive with the eyes, to obtain a visual impression, with or without fixing the attention: animals able to see in the dark.
9 await.
10 protect.
11 inspection, attention.
12 vigil.

OTHER WORDS FROM watch

un·watched, adjective un·watch·ing, adjective well-watched, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for watch over

watch
/ (wɒtʃ) /

verb

noun

See also watch out

Word Origin for watch

Old English wæccan (vb), wæcce (n); related to wake 1

Idioms and Phrases with watch over (1 of 2)

watch over

Guard for protection or safekeeping, as in There were only two aides watching over that large group of children. This idiom was first recorded in 1526.

Idioms and Phrases with watch over (2 of 2)

watch