to keep a close watch
10
3.0
- idiom
- Parents should keep a close watch on their children's online activities to ensure their safety.
Examples
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Miss Compton-Divot had noticed the fellow prowling about the upper rooms in the vicinity of the children's quarters one night, and had determined to keep a close watch on him.
Fiction book (1992) -
The teachers are keeping a close watch on the students during the exam.
-
Look, um, keep a close watch on him.
-
We're keeping a close watch on her.
-
- Keep a close watch until further orders.
-
Local authorities would keep a close watch on what is said in the paper.
Academic text (2005) -
So, let's keep a close watch on her.
-
Better keep a close watch on your daughters.
-
We'll need everyone to keep a close watch on the sun while we evacuate.
-
Once the machine gets going, it's essential to keep a close watch on the gauges.
Academic text (2000)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To be careful and pay attention to possible danger
985
1.6
To focus on someone or something and notice carefully
605
2.4
To watch something carefully to learn about it
600
3.5
To watch or check something over time
455
1.1
Take care of someone or something to keep them safe and working
432
2.4
To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens
356
3.0
Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone
291
2.1
To pay careful attention to something
208
2.7
To watch and write down progress or details
155
2.3
To look after someone or something to keep them safe
83
3.1
To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble
73
3.2
Watch carefully for someone or something
52
3.9
To watch someone or something closely over time to see what happens
31
4.1
To keep informed and in control to avoid problems
27
3.4
To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes
22
3.1
To stay and watch to protect people or a place
16
3.4
To stay awake and guard people or a place
2
3.8
Watch carefully for danger or a chance
1
6.0
Watch carefully for something you expect to see
1
4.6
Watch carefully for something important or dangerous
1
4.8
To place people to look for danger and protect others
Antonyms
How Closely Watched
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'keep' (maintain/continue) + 'close' (near/intense) + 'watch' (observe), so a learner who knows these words can infer 'monitor carefully'; the article 'a' is syntactic only. This verb + adjective + noun composition is cross-linguistically common and follows a transparent, compositional pattern.
Etymology
Keep a close watch comes from the image of a guard who keeps a close watch, standing very near and looking for any small change. That's why it means 'to watch someone or something very carefully'.