keep watch

Idioms  

1. Also,; 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

keep watch

CFOs are uniquely placed to understand the inner workings of their companies, Graham said, since it is their job to keep watch on how company resources are being deployed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 2026

To keep watch for rustlers, Brittain scans the classified ads in the back of Livestock Weekly for ones that look suspicious.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

Bindi had vanished during the Covid pandemic, and Jilly spent her daily walks looking for her, posting appeals on social media and asking people in Haddenham to keep watch for her.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025

Monroe coach Leo Hernandez said he got his position in 1999 because he could run with his athletes to keep watch over them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

Their wise men were called greenseers, and carved strange faces in the weirwoods to keep watch on the woods.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard