watch

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to look at sb/sth for a time, paying attention to what happens: [VN] to watch television / a football game * [VN, V] He watched the house for signs of activity. * He watched for signs of activity in the house. * [V] 'Would you like to play?' 'No thanks-I'll just watch.' * She stood and watched as the taxi drove off. * We watched to see what would happen next. * [Vwh-] Watch what I do, then you try. * [VN-ing] She watched the kids playing in the yard. * [VNinf] They watched the bus disappear into the distance. 2 [VN] to take care of sb/sth for a short time: Could you watch my bags for me while I buy a paper? 3 (BrE also mind) (informal) to be careful about sth: [VN] Watch yourself (= be careful, because you're in a dangerous situation)! * Watch your bag-there are thieves around. * I have to watch every penny (= be careful what I spend). * Watch your head on the low ceiling. * [Vwh-] Hey, watch where you're going! IDIOMS watch the clock (disapproving) to be careful not to work longer than the required time; to think more about when your work will finish than about the work itself watch it (informal) used as a warning to sb to be careful watch your mouth / tongue to be careful what you say in order not to offend sb or make them angry watch this space (informal) used in orders, to tell sb to wait for more news about sth to be announced: I can't tell you any more right now, but watch this space. watch the world go by to relax and watch people in a public place: We sat outside a cafe, watching the world go by. moreatLANGUAGE, STEPn. PHRASALVERBS watch for sb/sth to look and wait for sb/sth to appear or for sth to happen: The cat was on the wall, watching for birds. watch out (spoken) used to warn sb about sth dangerous: Watch out! There's a car coming! watch out for sb/sth 1 to make an effort to be aware of what is happening, so that you will notice if anything bad or unusual happens: The cashiers were asked to watch out for forged banknotes. 2 to be careful of sth: Watch out for the stairs-they're steep. watch over sb/sth (formal) to take care of sb/sth; to guard and protect sb/sth noun 1 [C] a type of small clock that you wear on your wrist, or (in the past) carried in your pocket: She kept looking anxiously at her watch. * My watch is fast / slow. seealsoSTOPWATCH, WRISTWATCH 2 [sing.,U] the act of watching sb/sth carefully in case of possible danger or problems: The police have mounted a watch outside the hotel. * I'll keep watch while you go through his papers (= watch and warn you if somebody is coming). * The government is keeping a close watch on how the situation develops. seealsoNEIGHBOURHOODWATCH 3 [C,U] a fixed period of time, usually while other people are asleep, during which sb watches for any danger so that they can warn others, for example on a ship; the person or people who do this: I'm on first watch. * I go on watch in an hour. seealsoNIGHTWATCHMAN IDIOMS be on the watch (for sb/sth) to be looking carefully for sb/sth that you expect to see, especially in order to avoid possible danger: Be on the watch for thieves. moreatCLOSEadj.