The expression "watched one's step" is indicative of being careful, cautious, and vigilant. The antonyms for this phrase would be words that imply carelessness, recklessness, or heedlessness. A few such antonyms could be words like incaution, inattention, or negligence. Incaution refers to a lack of caution or prudence, while inattention suggests that one is not paying adequate attention to their surroundings. Negligence typically refers to a failure to take proper care in carrying out one's duties, tasks, or responsibilities. Therefore, to "watch one's step" is the opposite of acting carelessly or recklessly, which could lead to unwanted consequences.
