watching like a hawk
Scrutinizing every move
Watching like a hawk means observing with intense, unwavering attention—the way a hawk tracks prey from above.
The phrase implies vigilance that misses nothing: The teacher watched him like a hawk during the exam.
Parents watch toddlers like hawks near swimming pools.
Auditors watch expense reports like hawks.
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- on the lookoutActively seeking or guarding
- scrutinizingExamining something very closely
- under the microscopeBeing closely examined
- observingPerceiving attentively
viewing · monitoring · eagle-eyed · hawk-eyed · bird of prey · surveillance · attentive · sharp · keeping tabs · relentless · vigilant · shadowing · focus · perceptive · laser focus · inspecting · predatory · stare
watching like a hawkignoring
Deliberately not noticing
not paying attention · tuning out · zoning out · looking the other way · turning a blind eye
watching like a hawkglancing
Looking briefly or obliquely
peeking · letting slide · laissez-faire · hands-off · looking away
watching like a hawkhands-off
Not directly involved
laissez-faire · leaving alone · giving space · letting be · micromanaging
watch, watching, watched, watcher, watchers, watchful, watchfully, watchfulness, unwatched