keep watch

Idioms and Phrases

Also, 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 .

Example Sentences

Visitors today can keep watch over the scene in the booth at the end of the bar that Capone and his cronies once occupied.

From The Daily Beast

One of the dwarfs remained at home every day to keep watch over her.

From The Daily Beast

Only five of the lifeboat men, called harbour boatmen, keep watch in and around the little stone house at nights.

From Project Gutenberg

By this means he easily descended, leaving Hamilton to keep watch above.

From Project Gutenberg

The Comte de Solern followed at a slight distance to keep watch over the king.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter, considering it prudent to keep watch, even after the victory of the day, was busy with the measures for the night.

From Project Gutenberg

Caroline should keep watch over herself; you vaunt silence as the surest method of being witty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard