Meaning & use
on my watch
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiominformal
During the time when I am in charge or responsible for something.
Grammar: Comes after a clause about events: that will not happen on my watch.
Patterns
- on someone's watch
- happen on my watch
I promise there will be no cuts to the youth service on my watch.
The company lost its biggest client on her watch.
Nobody gets left behind on my watch.
Common combinations
- not on my watch
- A bullying culture? Not on my watch.
- happen on my watch
- The accident happened on my watch, so I take full responsibility.
- on his watch
- Profits doubled on his watch.
- on our watch
- We cannot let the river die on our watch.
Synonyms and how they differ
- under my leadership
- Under my leadership is more formal and focuses on the person leading, while on my watch is punchier and often sounds like a pledge.
- during my term
- During my term refers to a fixed period in office and is flatter and more official.
- in my time
- In my time is more general and can look back over a whole career or even life.
- under my care
- Under my care describes looking after people or things and is warmer.
Word family
Commonly confused: on my watch or on watch?
on my watch vs on watch
On watch means actually on guard duty at that moment. On my watch means during the period you are in charge.
Practice
A new coach says, 'We will not lose a final on my watch.' What is she promising?
Choose one answer.
On my watch means during the time she is in charge, so she promises no lost finals while she is coach. The other choices take watch literally.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on my watch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.