watching one's back

Verb

watch one's back (third-person singular simple present watches one's back, present participle watching one's back, simple past and past participle watched one's back)

1. (literally) To 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. (figuratively) To be wary of betrayal or an otherwise unexpected attack.
   • the kind of office gossip that prompts you to watch your back