From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Prepositional phrase [ edit ] on the watch
Alternative form of on watch .
1861 George Eliot , chapter 21, in Silas Marner :"Come into that little brush-shop and sit down, father—they'll let you sit down," said Eppie, always on the watch lest one of her father's strange attacks should come on.
1897 Joseph Conrad , Karain: A Memoir :Even when he eats and sleeps there is always one on the watch near him who has strength and weapons.
1924 December 1, “Peasants ”, in Time :His children, married and single, were ever on the watch for what they could get out of him.
2007 , "WEATHER UPDATE ," WBBM780.com (Illinois), 2 Dec.:
The department also notified its Bureau of Forestry and Electricity to be on the watch for ice on trees and power lines.
