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

He cautions that investors keep watch on the economies of France, Germany and Japan, as fiscal or economic trouble for those could ultimately spill over into the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

In response to a Freedom of Information request from the BBC in August, the council said it had spent almost £60,000 on safety barriers, administration and for a security guard to keep watch over it.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

If the outbreak continues to spread, he expects to hire more employees to keep watch over the herds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Investors should keep watch for the trade group’s pending home sales report, which measures contract signings, later this month.

From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026

He wanted someone more solid and sensible to keep watch over his daughters.

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

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Related Words

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