PhrasesHub

Watching brief

    Definitions

      • monitoring
        Keeping a close eye on a situation or person, often to ensure that everything is going as planned or to be prepared to intervene if necessary

      • temporary responsibility
        Taking on a temporary role or duty to oversee a particular task or project

    Examples of Watching brief

    • The conservationist was asked to watch brief during the construction site to ensure that no endangered species were disturbed.

      In this example, "watching brief" is used as a verb phrase in the context of monitoring a particular situation. Here, the conservationist is keeping a close eye on the construction site to make sure that any endangered species in the area are not disturbed during the construction process.

    • The lawyer was asked to watch brief in the courtroom, where she could observe the proceedings but was not officially representing any client.

      In this example, "watching brief" is used as a noun phrase in the context of observing a court hearing without having a formal role in the case. Here, the lawyer is present in the courtroom to learn from the proceedings but is not officially representing any client.

    • The project manager asked his assistant to watch brief during the meeting so she could gain some insights into how the decisions were made.

      In this example, "watching brief" is used as a verb phrase in the context of observing a meeting to gather information. Here, the project manager's assistant is present in the meeting to learn more about how the decisions were made, but she is not actively participating in the discussion.

    • The archaeologist was asked to watch brief while the dig was taking place to ensure that any significant finds were reported to the scientific community.

      In this example, "watching brief" is used as a verb phrase in the context of monitoring an archaeological dig to report any significant findings. Here, the archaeologist is present at the dig site to make sure that any important discoveries are documented and shared with the scientific community.

    • During the court hearing, the lawyer assigned a watching brief was sitting silently in the gallery, monitoring the proceedings without actively participating in the case.

      A watching brief is a legal term that refers to the situation when a lawyer is present in the courtroom to observe the proceedings in a case that someone else is handling. The lawyer assigned a watching brief is not representing any particular party in the case, but is merely observing the proceedings to ensure that everything is being handled fairly and legally. This can be helpful in situations where a lawyer has a conflict of interest or is unable to represent a client in a particular case, but still wants to keep an eye on the proceedings.

    • The lawyer requested the client to provide a watching brief during the court hearing, as there might be unexpected developments that could affect the case.

      A watching brief refers to observing a situation without actually taking any active role in it. In this case, the client is asked to simply monitor the court proceedings as there could be unanticipated twists in the case, without interfering in the proceedings.

    • The manager asked the supervisor to keep a watching brief on the new employee during the initial training period to ensure that they are adapting well to the company's culture and work practices.

      A watching brief is also used in a workplace setting to provide guidance and support to a new employee without micromanaging them. It involves observing the employee's performance and providing feedback and suggestions for improvement, while allowing them to learn and develop their skills independently.

    • The parent asked the teacher to keep a watching brief on their child during the final exams, as they wanted to ensure that the child was not overwhelmed by the stress and pressure of the situation.

      In this example, a watching brief is used to provide emotional support and reassurance to a child during a high-pressure situation. It involves observing the child's performance and offering encouragement and guidance, without putting any additional stress on them.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "watching brief" can be used to indicate monitoring a situation or person closely, or taking on a temporary responsibility to oversee a task or project.

    Origin of "Watching brief"

    The origin of the idiom "watching brief" can be traced back to legal terminology. In legal contexts, a "brief" refers to a document containing a summary of a case or an argument to be presented in court. The term "watching brief" was originally used to describe the temporary oversight of a legal matter by someone who was not directly involved in the case but had a vested interest in its outcome.

    Over time, the term expanded beyond legal contexts to describe the temporary monitoring or oversight of any situation or responsibility. Today, "watching brief" is commonly used in a general sense to convey the idea of keeping a close eye on something or taking on a temporary role to ensure that a task or project is carried out effectively.