Praetorian Guard
- noun
- /ˌprɛɪtɔːriən ɡɑrd/
- Literature
:
Guardia Pretoriana
- The president relies on his Praetorian Guard of advisers to make crucial decisions.
Such abuse of power would prove to be the recurring theme for the Praetorian Guard.
- Such abuse of power would prove to be the recurring theme for the Praetorian Guard.
Examples
-
If Khamenei's will is supreme, the IRGC is his Praetorian Guard.
Academic text (2008) -
He surrounded himself with a Praetorian Guard of loyal allies who shaped his policies and protected his interests.
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I just that was a time when the Praetorian Guard had a lot of power.
-
During the political crisis, her Praetorian Guard supported her every move, ensuring her safety and influence.
Synonyms
179
1.0
A time when someone watches and protects a place or people
63
3.3
A group of people who go with and protect an important person from danger
37
7.7
A special military unit that protected the Iraqi government in Baghdad under Saddam Hussein
2
8.2
A person who secretly controls a leader from behind the scenes
How Influential
7
8.2
- Literature
2
8.2
- Literature
45
4.9
4
3.4
- US
271
2.8
817
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal constituents ('Praetorian' = elite Roman imperial guard, + 'guard' = protective force) clearly signal an elite protective group, so a learner could infer a connection to a leader's protectors. However, the phrase's modern figurative use to mean a leader's loyal inner circle of advisers who wield political influence is a culturally specific, metaphorical extension of the historical referent and is not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Praetorian Guard is now used for a leader's small, loyal inner circle of advisers or guards who 'protect' and support them. So, like the Roman guards who could make or break an emperor, a modern Praetorian Guard can shield a leader and have too much influence over their decisions.