keep watch

Related to keep watch: keep watch over, keep distance

keep (close) watch

To guard, protect, or ensure the welfare of someone or something, often through close observation. I felt better sending the kids to camp when I knew Mrs. James would be there to keep close watch over them. I can't help but feeling that I had an angel keeping watch over me that day.
See also: keep, watch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep (close) watch (over someone or something)

to guard or care for someone or something. I'm keeping watch over my children to make sure they have the things they need. I think that an angel is keeping close watch over her to make sure nothing bad happens to her.
See also: keep, watch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

keep watch

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.
See also: keep, watch
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

keep ˈwatch (for somebody/something)

stay awake or watch somebody/something carefully in case of possible danger or problems: I’ll keep watch while you sleep. The doctors are keeping watch for any change in her condition.
See also: keep, watch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep (close) watch
  • keep (close) watch over (someone or something)
  • keep a (close) watch
  • keep watch over
  • watch over
  • keep a close watch over (someone or something)
  • stakeout
  • send (one) round the twist
  • nature abhors a vacuum
  • send by
References in periodicals archive
Various meetings were held with different leaders of trade unions and they were requested to hire private security guards for security of their private enterprises as well as to keep watch over suspicious persons found near the parked vehicles.
ICT police frequently establishing Decoy Plans to apprehend car lifers
IRISH tourists in Mallorca are being warned to keep watch of their belongings after a passport theft racket linked to illegal immigrant smuggling.
Passports scam alert
Uniformed officers and armed undercover anti-terrorist officers will keep watch on the crowds.
TERROR ALERT AT GAA GAME
When they arrived at Berryhill Farm, outside Newburgh, Anderson told Fyffe to keep watch and produced a cigarette lighter.
Fireman Bam's look-out gets a year; He kept watch for blaze nut
THE men and women who risk their lives daily to keep watch on the most dangerous people in our society deserve better treatment.
Irish Daily Mirror Comment: Rough justice
RAWALPINDI -- Plainclothesmen should keep watch on criminal elements prowling in markets set up during Ramazan said the Rawalpindi region police chief on Saturday.
Police in civvies to watch markets
The personal in civvies have also been deployed in different sectors to keep watch over suspicious persons/vehicles and informers have also been deployed for same purpose.
Guideline issued to ensure safety of parked cars, motorcycles in ICT
KARACHI -- NED University of Engineering and Technology took lead to introduce geo-tagging technology for plantation of saplings in order to keep watch on the saplings planted under newly launched 'CO2 Smart Executive Club' and to adopt necessary measures for reducing CO2 from environment by planting more saplings to ensure an oxygen friendly environment.
NED varsity takes lead to introduce geo-tagging technology
He got briefing from the DIG on security preparations and identifications of sensitive worship places and mechanism to keep watch on them besides deployment of forces in Kohat and Hangu.
IGP reviews security arrangements in Kohat
Afghan security forces keep watch as smoke rises from the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.
Hotel siege in Kabul ends with 14 foreigners among 30 dead
And finally, keep watch. Stay with people: Be present, be appropriate, be within reach.
Watch