watchdog

Vocabulary Word

Definition

A 'watchdog' is someone or an organization that ensures people or companies are doing what they are supposed to do. Like a referee in a game making sure everyone plays fair.

Examples in Different Contexts

In government oversight, a 'watchdog' refers to an organization or body that monitors and reports on governmental policies and activities to ensure transparency and accountability. A policy analyst might say, 'Watchdog groups play a crucial role in keeping the government's actions in check and protecting public interests.'

Practice Scenarios

Journalism

Scenario:

Several scandals have been plaguing our city's local government. There is a pressing need to shed light on these issues.

Response:

Absolutely, as a journalism watchdog we should conduct an in-depth report on these scandals.

Tech

Scenario:

Noticing some anomalies in the system's processing, we need to debug the situation immediately.

Response:

Prompt action is necessary. Maybe the watchdog software could help identify the system issue.