on the watch for
idiom
: regularly checking to see if someone has arrived or if something has appeared or happened
When you're driving in winter you should always be on the watch for ice on the roads.
I am always on the watch for a good bargain.
Examples of on the watch for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the meantime, investors will be on the watch for announcements about potential trade deals or tariffs.
—
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
The letter urges parents to be on the watch for signs of stress in children dealing with feelings of grief and provides information on seeking counseling and emergency support.
—Jennifer Edwards Baker, Fox 19 Cincinnati, 23 Apr. 2025
While most human infections of bird flu continue to be in farm workers exposed to infected animals, health officials are on the watch for any indications of spread among humans.
—Matthew Brockett, Fortune Asia, 2 Dec. 2024
After downloading the app, hold the bottom button on the watch for three seconds to power it on.
—PCMAG, 12 Oct. 2024
The warrant process isn’t perfect, and judges need to be on the watch for law enforcement lying about their true purposes for a search.
—Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Despite millions of Netflix users watching season 1 of The Watcher, star Naomi Watts remains on the watch for an update on The Watcher season 2.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024
Be on the watch for these respiratory illnesses that may have a significant impact on your health.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024
You were told repeatedly to be on the watch for your mind going into a kind of mental trance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2021
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John Towfighi, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
The letter urges parents to be on the watch for signs of stress in children dealing with feelings of grief and provides information on seeking counseling and emergency support.
—Jennifer Edwards Baker, Fox 19 Cincinnati, 23 Apr. 2025
While most human infections of bird flu continue to be in farm workers exposed to infected animals, health officials are on the watch for any indications of spread among humans.
—Matthew Brockett, Fortune Asia, 2 Dec. 2024
After downloading the app, hold the bottom button on the watch for three seconds to power it on.
—PCMAG, 12 Oct. 2024
The warrant process isn’t perfect, and judges need to be on the watch for law enforcement lying about their true purposes for a search.
—Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024
Despite millions of Netflix users watching season 1 of The Watcher, star Naomi Watts remains on the watch for an update on The Watcher season 2.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024
Be on the watch for these respiratory illnesses that may have a significant impact on your health.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024
You were told repeatedly to be on the watch for your mind going into a kind of mental trance.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“On the watch for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20watch%20for. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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