watch Idiom, Proverb
watch out
watch out for
watch over
watch your language
watch your P's and Q's
watch your step
watch grease
watching Andy Griffith
on the watch
The customs inspector was on the watch for diamond smugglers．海关检查人员留心是否有宝石走私犯。
watch one's step
Watch your step，young man！If you're late for work again you will lose your job．当心，年轻人！如果你上班再迟到，你就会丢了工作。
2．be careful not to fall or stumble 小心走路；留意不要跌倒或摔跤
Watch your step；the roads are icy．当心不要摔跤，路很滑。
watch sb/sth
Idiom(s): watch sb or sthTheme: MONITORING
like a hawk to watch someone or something very carefully,
• The teacher watched the students like a hawk to make sure they did not cheat on the quiz.
• We have to watch our dog like a hawk in case he runs away.
keep close watch over
Idiom(s): keep (close) watch (over sb or sth)Theme: MONITORING
to guard or care for someone or something.
• I'm keeping watch over my children to make sure they have the things they need.
• I think that an angel is keeping close watch over her to make sure nothing bad happens to her.
• Angels don't have much to do except to keep watch.
keep close watch
Idiom(s): keep (close) watch (on sb or sth)Theme: MONITORING
to monitor someone or something; to observe someone or something.
• Keep close watch on Bill. I think he's loafing.
• Okay. I'll keep watch, but I think he's a good worker.
bear watching
Idiom(s): bear watchingTheme: MONITORING
to need watching; to deserve observation or monitoring.
• This problem will bear watching.
• This is a very serious disease, and it will bear watching for further developments.
A watched pot never boils
Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer.Don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the
If you don't know what to do, you don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon.Like watching sausage getting made
If something is like watching sausages getting made, unpleasant truths about it emerge that make it much less appealing. The idea is that if people watched sausages getting made, they would probably be less fond of them.Not on my watch
Someone distancing themselves from a situation could say that it is not on their watch.Watch grass grow
If something is like watching grass grow, it is really boring.Watch your six
(USA) This idiom means that you should look behind you for dangers coming that you can't see.Watching paint dry
If something is like watching paint dry, it is really boring.A watched pot never boils.
If we are eagerly waiting for something, it seems to take forever to happen.bear watching|bear
v. phr. 1. To be worth watching or paying attention to; have a promising future. That young ball player will bear watching. 2. To be dangerous or untrustworthy. Those tires look badly worn; they will bear watching.Compare: KEEP AN EYE ON.
bird watcher|bird|watcher
n. A person whose hobby is to study birds close-up in their outdoor home. A bird watcher looks for the first robin to appear in the spring.clock watcher|clock|watcher
n. phr., informal A worker who always quits at once when it is time; a man who is in a hurry to leave his job. When Ted got his first job, his father told him to work hard and not be a clock watcher.keep watch|keep|watch
v. phr. To be vigilant; be alert; guard. The police have asked the neighborhood to keep watch against an escaped convict.look out|look|watch|watch out
v. 1. To take care; be careful; be on guard.
Usually used as a command or warning. "Look out!" John called, as the car came toward me. "Look out for the train," the sign at the railroad crossing warns. 2. To be alert or watchful; keep watching. A collector of antique cars asked Frank to look out for a 1906 gas head lamp. Compare: EYE OUT, ON THE WATCH. 3. informal To watch or keep (a person or thing) and do what is needed; provide protection and care.
Used with "for". Lillian looked out for her sister's children one afternoon a week. Uncle Fred looked out for his brother's orphan son until the boy was through college. Compare: LOOK AFTER.
on the watch|on|watch
adj. phr. Alert; watchful. The customs inspector was on the watch for diamond smugglers. Mary was on the watch for bargains at the auction.Compare: EYE OUT, LOOK OUT2.
watch it|watch
v. phr., informal To be careful. Usually used as a command. You'd better watch it. If you get into trouble again, you'll be expelled. Watch it the bottom stair is loose!watch one's dust|dust|smoke|watch|watch one's smok
v. phr., slang To notice your quick action; watch you do something quickly. Offer Bill a dollar to shovel your sidewalk, and watch his smoke! "We'll have your yard cleaned in a jiffy," the Boy Scouts told Mr. Truitt. "Watch our smoke!" "I can go to the store and be back in five minutes," bragged Tom. "Just watch my dust."watch one's language|language|watch
v. phr. To be careful of how one speaks; avoid saying impolite or vulgar things. "You boys watch your language," Mother said, "or you won't be watching television for a whole week!"watch one's step|step|watch
v. phr. To mend one's ways; exercise prudence, tact, and care. I have to watch my step with the new boss as he is a very proud and sensitive individual.watch over|watch
v. phr. To guard; take care of. The museum guards carefully watch over the world-famous paintings.watched pot never boils|boil|boils|pot|watched|wat
If you watch or wait for something to get done or to happen, it seems to take forever. A proverb. Jane was nine months pregnant and Tom hovered over her anxiously. She said, "You might as well go away and play some golf. A watched pot never boils, you know!"keep watch
keep watchAlso, keep a watch or close watch on; watch over. Observe with continuous attention, especially to act as a sentinel or for protection. For example, Afraid that the wolves would return, she kept watch while the others slept, or They kept a close watch on the harbor, looking for signs of enemy ships, or, according to the Gospel of St. Luke (2:8): “And there were in the same country shepherds ... keeping watch over their flock by night.” [Late 1300s] Also see keep an eye out for.
watch
watchIn addition to the idioms beginning with watch, also see keep watch; look out; on the lookout.
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- watch it
- watch like a hawk
- watch my dust
- watch one's step
- watch out
- watch over
- watched pot never boils, a
watch it
watch itAlso, watch out. Be careful, as in Watch it as you go down that ladder, or Watch out, there are a lot of cars on this road. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the variant from the mid-1800s. Also see look out.
watch like a hawk
watch like a hawkObserve very closely, as in I was watching him like a hawk, but I never did see him take your wallet. This simile alludes to the hawk's exceptionally keen sight.
watch my dust
watch my dustAlso, watch my smoke. See how fast I am, or how quickly I'll succeed. For example, I'm going to turn that investment into my first million, just you watch my dust, or I'll make it, just watch my smoke. The first term alludes to the dust raised by a galloping horse, the second to the smoke generated by an engine. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
watched pot never boils, a
watched pot never boils, aAnxious waiting does not speed up matters, as in Stop running downstairs for every mail delivery—a watched pot never boils, you know. This hyperbolic adage reflects the experience of anyone who has ever been in a hurry to bring water to a boil, which eventually occurs but can seem to take forever. [Mid-1800s]
More Idioms/Phrases
An watch idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with watch, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context.
Dictionary of similar words, Different wording, Synonyms, Idioms for Idiom, Proverb watch
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