watching out
Being on guard
Watching out is the continuous form of watch out, meaning to stay alert for potential danger or problems.
When you're watching out for something, you're actively scanning for it or keeping it in mind: I'm watching out for black ice on these roads.
It can also mean looking after someone's interests or wellbeing: Thanks for watching out for my little brother.
Advance warning notice
- look outAlert cry or sentry
- bewareExercise vigilant caution
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- alertWarning or watchfulness
danger · hazard · threat · pitfall · trap · obstacle · risk · red flag
Keenly aware of danger
- attentivePaying close notice
- observantNoticing things readily
- awareHaving knowledge of
- alertWarning or watchfulness
heedful · wary · sharp-eyed · eagle-eyed · on guard · keen · perceptive · mindful
Exercising caution and attention
- waryGuardedly alert
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- prudentExercising sound judgment
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
guarded · hesitant · leery · chary · skeptical · distrustful · apprehensive · tentative
Ongoing observation of something
- observingPerceiving attentively
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- tailingSecretly following someone
- staking outProlonged covert observation
spying · reconnaissance · snooping · shadowing · trailing · keeping tabs · eavesdropping · wiretapping
Actively protecting something
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- defendingProtecting against harm
- safeguardingPreventing harm or loss
- looking afterSupervising someone's wellbeing
sheltering · covering · minding · tending · caring for · preserving · securing · warning
heads up
Advance warning notice
alert · danger · hazard · threat · pitfall · trap · obstacle · risk · red flag · alarm
vigilant
Keenly aware of danger
alert · heedful · wary · sharp-eyed · eagle-eyed · on guard · keen · perceptive · mindful · focused
careful
Exercising caution and attention
- waryGuardedly alert
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- prudentExercising sound judgment
cautious · guarded · hesitant · leery · chary · skeptical · distrustful · apprehensive · tentative · gingerly
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- observingPerceiving attentively
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- tailingSecretly following someone
staking out · spying · reconnaissance · snooping · shadowing · trailing · keeping tabs · eavesdropping · wiretapping · CCTV
guarding
Actively protecting something
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- defendingProtecting against harm
- safeguardingPreventing harm or loss
looking after · sheltering · covering · minding · tending · caring for · preserving · securing · warning · heads up
watching outoblivious
Lacking any awareness
unaware · inattentive · zoning out · daydreaming · tuning out
watching outthrowing caution to the wind
watching outneglecting
Failing to attend to
throwing caution to the wind · ignoring · abandoning · disregarding · turning a blind eye
watch, watching, watched, lookout, watchful, watcher, watchman, watches, overwatch