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

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

“Best thing is to keep watch and make sure it doesn’t spread.”

From Literature

Dozens of Wisconsinites volunteer each spring to keep watch against poachers as the sturgeon make their way upriver to spawn; thousands more come to watch.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Barron's

By using the wealth of skills and expertise gathered at the different volcano observatories, teams of experts work together to keep watch and send warning when a dormant volcano is about to become active.

From Literature

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard