watch one's back
English
Verb
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 remain wary of being thrown under the bus, figuratively.
- the kind of office gossip that prompts you to watch your back
Synonyms
- check one's six
- watch one's ass
See also
- cover one's back
- watch one's step