watch one's back

present singular third person watches one's back · participle present watching one's back · participle past watched one's back · past watched one's back

1. literallyTo 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

2. figurativelyTo be wary of betrayal or an otherwise unexpected attack.

   the kind of office gossip that prompts you to watch your back

   1 more example

   Gotta watch my back now that you turned me around Got me walking backwards into my hometown

   2011, Gillian Welch, “The Way It Will Be”, in The Harrow & the Harvest, performed by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings