watch over

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

Her home is a shrine to Regency England; a life-size cutout of actor Colin Firth—from what many consider the best of the many renditions of “Pride & Prejudice”—stands watch over her much-ruffled bedroom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

"There's nobody out here to watch over you or help you or confine you. You're kind of on your own," Glaser said.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Keeping watch over Perranporth Beach and its steep cliffs led Winston Graham to create Ross Poldark.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

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

The KGB, which guarded the USSR's borders and kept watch over foreigners and Soviet citizens alike, was on high alert.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• dominate
• govern
• guide
• handle
• maintain
• operate
• oversee
• regulate
• run
• supervise
• take care of
• take over
• train
• use