on one's watch

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