to set up a watch - Glite Dictionary

Examples

We gotta set up a watch and look out for a shoal.

The Finest Hours (2016)
Before the event, the organizers decided to set up a watch to monitor the crowd for any potential disturbances.
To catch the thief, the homeowners chose to set up a watch during the night.

Synonyms

to monitor

vsto set up a watch

627 3.5

To watch or check something over time

is about arranging active observation focused on threat detection rather than general tracking

to keep an eye on

vsto set up a watch

Informal

408 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

emphasises creating a structured observation specifically to detect threats

to watch over

vsto set up a watch

145 2.3

To look after someone or something to keep them safe

focuses on starting purposeful observation directed at spotting potential threats

to keep an eye out

vsto set up a watch

Informal

134 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

means creating planned observation specifically to monitor for potential threats

to keep tabs on

vsto set up a watch

Informal

43 3.9

To watch someone or something closely over time to see what happens

focuses more on initiating organised surveillance for suspicious activity rather than casual updates

to keep watch

vsto set up a watch

30 3.1

To stay alert and watch for danger or trouble

involves establishing a deliberate observation arrangement to catch suspicious behaviour

to stay alert

vsto set up a watch

28 3.4

To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes

involves initiating deliberate, organised observation to find possible threats

to stand watch

vsto set up a watch

Jargon

10 3.4

To stay awake and guard people or a place

involves arranging active observation posts specifically to detect suspicious actions

to surveil

vsto set up a watch

9 8.4

To watch people or places closely to get information and stop crime

creates organised observation arrangements aimed at detecting potential threats

to keep a close watch

vsto set up a watch

8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

organises formal observation specifically to monitor for suspicious activity

to keep guard

vsto set up a watch

2 3.1

To stay and watch to protect people or a place

focuses on organising surveillance intended to find suspicious activity rather than only defend

to keep an eye peeled

vsto set up a watch

Informal

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

is about setting up organised observation aimed at detecting suspicious behaviour

to stand sentinel

vsto set up a watch

Literature

1 7.0

To watch and guard a place or person

is about creating formal observation positions aimed at spotting threats

Antonyms

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to disregard

119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Watchful

stakeout

62 6.5

to surveil

9 8.4

to monitor

627 3.5

to set up a watch

1 4.8

to keep an eye on

Informal

408 2.4

to observe

619 2.4

Surface Forms

set up a watch infinitive

set up a watch past

set up a watch past participle

setting up a watch present participle

sets up a watch third person singular

Morphology

set + up + a + watch

The meaning 'to establish surveillance' is directly and compositionally derived from 'set up' (to establish or arrange) combined with 'a watch' (a period/team assigned to guard or observe). This follows a common English verb + noun composition and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Set up a watch comes from the simple image of people physically set up lights or chairs and then keep watch over a place. So today it means 'to watch' or 'guard' an area for danger.