Are you good at showing colleagues you care?
This may be more difficult in English than in your first language.
Listen in today and learn a new expression that shows you care about your coworkers.
Watches and work
Michelle asks Lindsay if she wears a watch.
Lindsay responds that she wears a smart watch that tracks her steps, sleep, and exercise.
Michelle mentions she has worn a FitBit that is a similar device.
She contemplated getting an Apple watch but it is too expensive and her kids might just take it and play with it.
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Michelle are going to share an idiom with the word “watch” that is super useful.
Michelle’s friend used this in a conversation which inspired the episode.
He used the idiom “not on my watch.”
Lindsay agrees that it is a great idiom and is happy to discuss this further in today’s episode with Michelle.
Not on my watch
This idiom means a situation will not happen when you’re in charge or not while you’re the one responsible for it.
It is a way to say that when something is under your care, you will fulfill your responsibility to look after it.
You can use this in everyday conversations as well as in the business setting.
It helps you explain who oversees something, how something happened, or if there is an issue you want to address.
Here are some examples:
- I feel terrible that this hack happened on my watch. I take full responsibility.
- Bill got an award for all the improvements that happened on his watch with the team. We are so proud of him.
- Since this happened on Tracy’s watch, she should be the one to fix it.
- Failure is not an option on my watch! We will be working on this all night. I’ll order us dinner.
Positive or negative?
Michelle asks Lindsay if this is used more for something positive or negative.
Lindsay thinks that this expression is more often used when something goes wrong, but not always.
Sometimes you might hear “not on MY watch” where the stress is on ‘my.’
This where you emphasise on you being responsible or influence on something.
Here are other examples via mini roleplays.
In this first scenario, Lindsay and Michelle are talking about a policy at work.
Lindsay: I’m thinking we should change the policy to account for the changes.
Michelle: Oh no! Not on MY watch. It’s WAY too soon to do that.
In the next scenario, Michelle is talking about losing her job.
Michelle: I really think I might lose my job.
Lindsay: Oh no! You won’t! Not on MY watch. I have some say in this!
Other expressions
There are a variety of ways you can use the idiom “not on my watch” but there is another expression that has the same meaning.
The phrase is “not if I have anything to do with it.”
Here are other roleplay scenarios to give you an idea of how to use this.
Lindsay: I think Tim might be thinking of leaving.
Michelle: Not if I have anything to do with it. I’m going to talk with him.
Another expression is “not while I’m in charge”
Again, similar to the first idiom introduced in today’s episode.
Here is an example:
“This all happened when I was in charge. Blame me.”
Lastly, you can also use “when I’m in control.”
Here is an example:
“Let’s see… The mistake happened when Lucy was in control. We should ask her.”
Roleplay
Here are two roleplays from Lindsay and Michelle using the English tips and vocabulary shared in today’s episode.
This will help you better understand how to use them in your own daily conversations in English either at work or with friends and family.
In this scenario, Michelle and Lindsay are colleagues reviewing a mistake that happened during a presentation.
Michelle: I just can’t believe this happened while I was in charge. I feel terrible.
Lindsay: Michelle it was a mistake! I’m not going to let you get upset about this- not if I have anything to do with it!
Michelle: Thanks Lindsay.
Lindsay: Things happen when I’m in control, too.
Michelle: I guess. I just hate when things happen like this on my watch.
You can check out episode BE 402: How to Respond to Change at Work in English to learn other ways you can acknowledge others at work.
Takeaway
Today’s episode reminds us that leadership isn’t just about titles.
It’s also about taking ownership.
When you say “not on my watch,” you’re showing your team you care, you’re present, and you’re accountable.
This expression, along with others shared in the episode, helps you speak up, support your colleagues, and lead with confidence in English.
Try using it in your own conversations to show you’re someone who looks out for others.
What are other expressions you use to show your work colleagues you care?
Share it with us in the comments below.
