# keep a close watch

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/keep-a-close-watch
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.

## Examples

- Please keep a close watch on the stove while I am outside.
- The manager asked the team to keep a close watch on the project budget to ensure we do not overspend.
- As the storm approached the coast, the authorities decided to keep a close watch on the rising water levels to determine if an evacuation was necessary.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.