set one's watch by someone

verb

To know the current time by observing a very punctual and reliable person going about their regular routine.

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Meanings

verbset one's watch by someone (third-person singular simple present sets one's watch by someone, present participle setting one's watch by someone, simple past and past participle set one's watch by someone)

present singular third person sets one's watch by someone · participle present setting one's watch by someone

  1. idiomaticTo know the current time by observing a very punctual and reliable person going about their regular routine.
Cite this entry
APA

set one's watch by someone. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/set%20one's%20watch%20by%20someone

MLA

“set one's watch by someone.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/set%20one's%20watch%20by%20someone. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “set one's watch by someone,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/set%20one's%20watch%20by%20someone.

Source: set one's watch by someone on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.