1watch 
/ˈwɑ:tʃ/ verb
watch·es; watched; watch·ing /ˈwɑ:tʃ/ verb 1 a : to look at (someone or something) for an amount of time and pay attention to what is happening [+ obj] ▪ They have a rookie on the team who is fun to watch. ▪ I fell asleep watching television. ▪ What movie are you watching? ▪ “Mom, watch me do a cartwheel!” ▪ Watch us (do it) to see how it's done. ▪ She sat and watched the children play. ▪ He didn't know that he was being watched by the police. [=that the police were looking at what he was doing] [no obj] ▪ “Would you like to play, too?” “No, I'll just watch.” ▪ Just sit back and watch. ▪ Keep watching to see what happens next. ▪ “What happens next?” “Watch and see.”
b : to give your attention to (a situation, an event, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ People are watching this presidential race very carefully/closely. ▪ Fans anxiously watched the clock [=they paid close attention to the time remaining on the clock] as the end of the game approached. [no obj] ▪ Investors watched with delight as stock prices rose. 2 [+ obj] : to care for (someone or something) for a period of time in order to make sure that nothing bad or unwanted happens
▪ Will you watch my things (for me) until I get back? ▪ He watched [=took care of] the baby while I made dinner. ▪ Can you watch the dog for us this weekend? ▪ Watch yourself [=be careful] up on the roof. 3 [+ obj] a : to try to control (something)
▪ She tries to watch her weight. [=she tries not to gain weight] ▪ The doctor told him that he has to watch what he eats. ▪ We've been watching how much money we spend.
b : to be careful about (something) — usually used in commands ▪ Watch your step. These stairs are slippery. ▪ Watch your head getting into the car. ▪ Watch what you're doing! You almost hit me. ▪ Watch what you say in front of him. He's very sensitive. ▪ Watch your language/mouth/tongue, young lady! [=don't say rude or inappropriate things] 4 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : to make sure that something bad or unwanted does not happen
▪ You will want to watch that it doesn't happen again. — often used in commands ▪ Watch (that) you don't fall! ▪ Watch (that) the wind doesn't blow your papers away.
b : to give your attention to (a situation, an event, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ People are watching this presidential race very carefully/closely. ▪ Fans anxiously watched the clock [=they paid close attention to the time remaining on the clock] as the end of the game approached. [no obj] ▪ Investors watched with delight as stock prices rose.
▪ Will you watch my things (for me) until I get back? ▪ He watched [=took care of] the baby while I made dinner. ▪ Can you watch the dog for us this weekend? ▪ Watch yourself [=be careful] up on the roof.
▪ She tries to watch her weight. [=she tries not to gain weight] ▪ The doctor told him that he has to watch what he eats. ▪ We've been watching how much money we spend.
b : to be careful about (something) — usually used in commands ▪ Watch your step. These stairs are slippery. ▪ Watch your head getting into the car. ▪ Watch what you're doing! You almost hit me. ▪ Watch what you say in front of him. He's very sensitive. ▪ Watch your language/mouth/tongue, young lady! [=don't say rude or inappropriate things]
▪ You will want to watch that it doesn't happen again. — often used in commands ▪ Watch (that) you don't fall! ▪ Watch (that) the wind doesn't blow your papers away.
a watched pot never boils — see 1boil
watch for [phrasal verb] 1 watch for (someone or something) : to look for (someone or something that you expect to see)
▪ Are you watching for your parents? They should be here any minute. ▪ She watches for her school bus from inside her house. ▪ The nurse watched for signs of the disease. ▪ We need to watch for any sudden changes in his heartbeat. 2 watch for (something) : to look for (something that you want to get or use)
▪ She is always watching for sales.
▪ Are you watching for your parents? They should be here any minute. ▪ She watches for her school bus from inside her house. ▪ The nurse watched for signs of the disease. ▪ We need to watch for any sudden changes in his heartbeat.
▪ She is always watching for sales.
watch it
informal — used to tell someone to be careful ▪ Watch it! You nearly knocked over that lamp!
watch out [phrasal verb]
: to be aware of something dangerous
▪ If you don't watch out you could fall. ▪ You'd better watch out. [=be careful] These stairs are slippery. — often + for ▪ Watch out for that car! ▪ There are many dangers that you need to watch out for.
▪ If you don't watch out you could fall. ▪ You'd better watch out. [=be careful] These stairs are slippery. — often + for ▪ Watch out for that car! ▪ There are many dangers that you need to watch out for.
watch over [phrasal verb]
watch over (someone or something) : to take care of (someone or something)
▪ The shepherds watched over their sheep. ▪ She believed that angels were watching over her.
▪ The shepherds watched over their sheep. ▪ She believed that angels were watching over her.
watch (someone or something) like a hawk — see 1hawk
watch someone's back — see 1back
watch your back — see 1back
watch your p's and q's — see 1p
watch your step — see 1step
you watch
informal — used to tell someone that you think something will probably happen ▪ She'll change her mind again, you watch. [=I think she'll change her mind again]
