How do you use "Watch your six" in a sentence?

Watch your six — there are pickpockets in this area. I've got your six, partner — you can count on me. In this industry, you always need to watch your six.

Watch your six

Q: What does "Watch your six" mean?

Watch your back; be aware of danger behind you. Based on the clock position system where 12 o'clock is ahead and 6 o'clock is behind. 'I've got your six' means 'I've got your back' — one of the most common expressions of loyalty in both military and civilian contexts.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Watch your back; be aware of danger behind you.

注意你的身后；小心背后的危险。

Vigila tu espalda; ten cuidado con el peligro que hay detrás de ti.

背後に気をつけろ、後ろからの危険に注意しろ。

뒤를 조심해라. 뒤에서 오는 위험에 주의하라.

Based on the clock position system where 12 o'clock is ahead and 6 o'clock is behind. 'I've got your six' means 'I've got your back' — one of the most common expressions of loyalty in both military and civilian contexts.

基于钟表方位系统，12点方向是前方，6点方向是后方。'I've got your six'意为'我来保护你的后方'——这是军事和民间语境中最常见的表达忠诚的说法之一。

Se basa en el sistema de posiciones del reloj, donde las 12 es delante y las 6 es detrás. «I've got your six» significa «te cubro la espalda» — una de las expresiones de lealtad más comunes tanto en el ámbito militar como en el civil.

時計の方位システムに基づき、12時が前方、6時が後方を指す。「I've got your six（お前の6時は任せろ）」は「お前の背中は守る」という意味で、軍隊でも民間でも最も一般的な信頼と忠誠の表現のひとつ。

12시가 전방이고 6시가 후방인 시계 방향 시스템에 기반한다. 'I've got your six'는 '내가 뒤를 봐줄게'라는 뜻으로, 군사 및 민간 맥락 모두에서 가장 흔한 충성의 표현 중 하나이다.

Examples

Watch your six — there are pickpockets in this area.
注意你的六点方向——这一带有扒手。
Vigila tus seis — hay carteristas en esta zona.
6時方向に注意しろ — この辺りはスリが多い。
6시 방향 조심해 — 이 근처에 소매치기가 많아.
I've got your six, partner — you can count on me.
你的六点我来守，搭档——放心交给我。
Yo te cubro las seis, compañero — cuenta conmigo.
お前の6時は俺が守る、相棒 — 任せろ。
네 6시는 내가 지킨다, 파트너 — 나를 믿어.
In this industry, you always need to watch your six.
在这个行业里，你得时刻注意自己的六点方向。
En esta industria, siempre hay que vigilar las seis.
この業界では常に6時方向を警戒しないといけない。
이 업계에서는 항상 6시 방향을 경계해야 한다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: military, law enforcement, everyday caution

Tone: warning, protective

✓ Do Say

Watch your six.
注意你的六点。
Vigila tus seis.
6時方向に注意しろ。
6시 방향 조심해.
I've got your six.
你的六点我来守。
Yo te cubro las seis.
お前の6時は俺が守る。
네 6시는 내가 지킨다.

✗ Don't Say

Some may not know the clock position system.
有些人可能不了解钟表方位系统。
Algunos pueden no conocer el sistema de posiciones del reloj.
時計方位のシステムを知らない人もいる。
시계 방향 시스템을 모르는 사람도 있다.

Origin & History

From military and aviation clock position system. Pilots use clock positions to indicate direction — 12 is forward, 6 is behind.

Cultural Context

Era: 1940s–present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: All regions — widely understood