wɒtʃ laɪk ə hɔːk
Animals
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Watching with the intensity of a hunting hawk
What does "watch like a hawk" mean?
- To observe very closely and attentively
- To keep someone under careful surveillance
Examples
- The teacher watches students like a hawk during exams.
- Security guards watch like hawks at the entrance.
- My boss watches my work like a hawk.
Origin
From hawks' exceptional eyesight and their intense focus when hunting prey.
How to use it
Implies intense, perhaps uncomfortable scrutiny. Can be protective or suspicious.
Similar expressions
observe closely
monitor carefully
keep a close eye on
Opposites
ignore
overlook
pay no attention
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "watch like a hawk" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.