Meaning of on one's watch | Babel Free

Definitions

During the period of time when one is in a position of authority or responsibility.

US, idiomatic

Examples

“[Robert] Gates emerged from the first week of hearings bearing only a few scratches. […] He even vowed to resign if illegal activity occurred on his watch.”

“Woods dismissed the idea that anyone could get away with election fraud on her watch.”

“President George Bush today insisted American forces would not withdraw from Iraq "on my watch" and give terrorists the chance "to claim an historic victory over the United States".”

““You look at what’s happening in Europe,” he continued, “you look at what’s happening in other places – we can’t allow that to happen to the United States. Not on my watch.””

“[...] Fowler was responsible for a conservative small engine policy at the LMS, previously adopted on the Midland, which led to much double-heading - although the Royal Scot 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive was also introduced on his watch in 1928.”

CEFR level