on (one's) watch
Under one's supervision; while one is in a position of power, authority, or responsibility. I can't believe you let this happen on your watch. It's strange—even though it wasn't on my watch, I still feel partly responsible for the robbery.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
on someone's watch
COMMON If something bad happens on someone's watch, it happens during a period when they are in a position of power, and are therefore responsible for it. Mistakes were made on my watch, and accordingly I believe my decision to resign, while painful, is appropriate. The last two sitting Democratic presidents suffered enormous political damage from foreign policy disasters that occurred on their watch. Note: When someone such as a soldier is on watch, they have been ordered to remain alert, usually while others sleep, so that they can warn of danger or an attack.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
on someone’s watch
mod. while someone is on duty. I guess I have to bear the blame since it happened on my watch.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.