To be alert and careful, especially to avoid danger.
Be careful! Pay attention so nothing bad happens to you.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
Used as a warning to tell someone to be careful or to avoid an immediate danger.
"Watch out! There's a car coming around the corner."
You better watch out, you better not cry.
— "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", popular Christmas song (Haven Gillespie, 1934)
To be on guard or alert for a particular danger, problem, or person (usually followed by 'for').
"Watch out for scams when shopping online."
Used as a general caution that someone or something should be taken seriously or not underestimated.
"Watch out — she's a tough negotiator."
To direct your eyes outward and be watchful — closely mirrors the figurative meaning.
Be careful! Pay attention so nothing bad happens to you.
Very common as an exclamation or imperative warning. When followed by 'for', it means to be alert to a specific threat (e.g., 'watch out for pickpockets'). Universal across all English-speaking regions.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "watch out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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