Takes watch (8)
I believe the answer is:
stakeout
'watch' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'takes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'takes' is 'stake' which is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'out' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stakeout that I've seen before include "Informally, place under surveillance - using sharp stick?" , "watch closely" , "Act of surveillance" , "Police surveillance assignment" , "Put under surveillance - like statue, OK?" .)