watch over
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle over
Meanings
Look after and protect someone
Why “over”? Something goes over another thing. It can hide it, protect it, or cover its surface.
“She watched over the children.”
“The ranger watched over the campsite.”
Don't confuse with
Watch over means look after and protect someone. Watch on means observe an event from the sidelines without participating.
Test yourself
“She watched over the children.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
watch on
A contrast learners often mix up
Observe an event from the sidelines without participating
come over
Same over pattern: covering
Visit someone's house or place; Be felt by someone suddenly; Give a particular impression; Change to support a different side or opinion
cover over
Same over pattern: covering
Place something on top to hide or protect
do over
Same over pattern: covering
Repeat an action in order to do it correctly; Decorate or refurbish a room
gloss over
Same over pattern: covering
Treat lightly to hide difficulty
go over
Same over pattern: covering
Move from this side to the other; Examine or review something carefully; Be received in a particular way by an audience; Move to visit someone's house; Change to a different side, system or position; Use more time or money than a limit
hang over
Same over pattern: covering
Loom above as a threat or mood
make over
Same over pattern: covering
Completely change someone's appearance or a place's look
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