Praetorian Guard
- noun
- /ˌprɛɪtɔːriən ɡɑrd/
- Literature
- The president relies on his Praetorian Guard of advisers to make crucial decisions.
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeSuch 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.
-
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.