watch one's back
English
[edit]Verb
[edit]watch one's back (third-person singular simple present watches one's back, present participle watching one's back, simple past and past participle watched one's back)
- (literally) To remain wary of being attacked from behind by surprise; to remain watchful to prevent a predictable attack from being a surprise.
- the kind of dive bar where you better watch your back
- (figuratively) To be wary of betrayal or an otherwise unexpected attack.
- the kind of office gossip that prompts you to watch your back