Meanings
- slanglifestyleUsed to indicate that one's duties or tenure in a position have ended.
My watch has ended. After six years, I'm about to conclude my last three-year term as department chair.
2018, Gary W. Lewandowski, "My Watch Has Ended: A Chair's Exit Interview", The Department Chair, Fall 2018, page 102 more examples
My watch has ended. For the last eight years – four of them here at Courier Life Publications – I have had the privilege to be your eyes and ears, your evaluator, and a watchdog in New York City's local sports scene.
2016, Joseph Staszewski, "Farewell – but not goodbye", Brooklyn Courier, 20 May 2016 - 26 May 2016, page 44"I really enjoyed my time on city council the last eight years. I've learned a lot, developed some really good relationships. I'm proud of the work we've done. And you know, I'm going to be thinking of our achievements as I move forward but for now, my watch has ended."
2020, Ryan Bater, quoted in John Cairns, "Bater concedes race", Regional News-Optimist (The Battlefords, SK), 12 November 2020, page 3
Origin
Derived from a misquotation of a phrase used in the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novel series and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. In the novels, "and now his watch is ended" is used to conclude eulogies honouring fallen members of the Night's Watch, a brotherhood of men who swear lifelong vows to defend the Wall. "My watch is ended" is used in the episode "Oathbreaker" (2016) by a character who resigns from the Watch.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
my watch has ended. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/my%20watch%20has%20ended
“my watch has ended.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/my%20watch%20has%20ended. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “my watch has ended,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/my%20watch%20has%20ended.
Source: my watch has ended on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.