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guard

guard

180 1.0
A thing that keeps you safe from danger
  • noun
  • /ɡɑrd/
translation icon : guardia
  • It is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security.
  • let your guard down
  • keep your guard up

Some things just don't need that, that heavy guard in order to overcome.

Examples

  • Or perhaps we let down our guard and we get played again.

  • I let my guard down.

  • You might actually let your guard down and enjoy your life for once?

  • You let your guard down because no one will ever see this.

  • I have to constantly protect myself and stay on my guard with others.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And therefore I should be on my guard and suspicious at all times.

  • And so we really can afford to let down our guard in ways in which we couldn't in the past.

  • Some sort of fortress had always stood guard over the pass between Princemarch and the northern desert.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • A safety helmet is an important guard against head injuries.

  • Fire alarms serve as a vital guard to protect buildings from fire damage.

Synonyms

protection
vsguard
974 1.0

Keeping people or things safe from harm

is a specific protective thing or precaution rather than the state itself
defense
vsguard
  • US
460 1.4

Protection from attack, danger, harm, or illness

is the particular precaution or protective item within those systems
guardian
vsguard
347 2.8

A person who looks after and protects someone or their things

is the neutral protective concept, not limited to responsible persons
defender
vsguard
252 2.8

A person who protects someone or something from harm

is the broad protective item or act rather than an individual protector
precaution
vsguard
229 3.4

A careful action done beforehand to avoid harm or danger

is broader, including both advance actions and protective people or items
security guard
vsguard
210 1.3

A person who watches and protects a building or people to stop stealing and trouble

is the general protective concept not limited to hired personnel
protector
vsguard
129 2.8

A person who defends and cares for another person or thing

is a general protective thing or action rather than specifically a person
lookout
vsguard
88 3.7

A person who watches and warns others about danger

is a broader protective thing or action, not only a watching role
safeguard
vsguard
61 4.0

A way to protect someone or something from harm

is the general term covering both measures and protecting agents
sentinel
vsguard
31 7.4

A person who watches a place to warn others of danger

is any form of protection rather than specifically a watching person
guard dog
vsguard
20 2.1

A dog trained to protect people or property by warning and sometimes attacking intruders

is the general protective concept rather than a trained animal defender
guardrail
vsguard
17 3.4

A strong railing at the edge of places like roads and bridges that stops people or vehicles from falling

is the broad term for protection, not limited to structural barriers
arm guard
vsguard
3.1

A padded sleeve that protects the arm during sports like football or hockey

is the general protective idea, not only specific protective equipment
bumper guard
vsguard
  • US
4.1

A bar attached to a car bumper that protects it from scratches and small hits

is the wider protective concept rather than this specific vehicle device

Antonyms

1.0

A chance that people or things will be harmed

3.0

To do something that may cause harm or lead to loss

Idioms

51 4.2

Not ready or paying attention when something happens

Surprised and not ready for something that happens suddenly

27 3.5

Alert and ready to act if danger or problems appear

Ready and alert to notice danger or problems

Not paying attention and not ready for surprise or danger

Not paying attention and not ready for danger or surprise

Not ready and not paying attention when something surprises you

Ready and careful about possible danger or problems

Alert and ready to deal with danger or problems

Compounds

210 1.3

A person who watches and protects a building or people to stop stealing and trouble

152 3.7

A military group in each United States state that governors or federal leaders call in emergencies

A special military unit that protected the Iraqi government in Baghdad under Saddam Hussein

26 2.5

A person who watches prisoners in a jail or prison

20 2.1

A dog trained to protect people or property by warning and sometimes attacking intruders

16 7.0

A group of longtime members who resist new ideas

A branch of the United States military that enforces laws at sea, rescues people, and protects its waters

11 3.3

A period when someone watches and protects a place, often at night

9 4.8

A group of soldiers who stand or march at ceremonies to show respect

A group of part-time soldiers who help in local emergencies and serve abroad

5 2.5

A person who helps children and others cross streets safely near schools

A reserve force of civilian volunteers who support the United States Air Force in war and emergencies

A ceremony when uniformed guards change places and duties at a palace

4 9.2

A young person who supports Mao Zedong and takes part in political activity during China's Cultural Revolution

3 5.0

A group of people who carry a national or military flag during ceremonies

3 4.9

Not ready or alert when something surprises you

2 1.7

A person who protects a bank and its customers

A branch of the US government that protects people at sea, rescues boats and crews, and stops illegal activity

2 2.5

A hard pad worn over the front of the lower leg to protect the shin

guard boat
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A boat that watches and protects a harbor or ships

1 5.9

A volunteer group of local people who protect their area when the army is away

1 3.3

A part of the United States government that patrols coasts, enforces laws at sea, and rescues people

1 4.3

A set of metal bars over a gap in a road that stops cows from crossing

1 3.9

A set of metal bars attached to the front of a football helmet that protects the player's face

1 4.1

A group of people who stand in line to welcome an important person or honor a dead person

1 2.5

A person who stands at an entrance to check people entering

guard ship
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A navy ship kept ready to respond quickly to emergencies

1 5.5

US Department of Defense office that manages the Army and Air National Guard

A guard who stands near the king or queen during ceremonies while wearing a Tudor uniform

4.1

A bar attached to a car bumper that protects it from scratches and small hits

3.1

A padded sleeve that protects the arm during sports like football or hockey

guard hair
  • Specialized
7.7

Long outer parts of an animal's coat that protect the soft fur underneath

provost guard
  • Formal
9.7

A group of soldiers who keep order and discipline in the military

A group of elite soldiers who guarded Roman emperors in ancient Rome

Praetorian Guard
  • Literature
9.6

A small loyal group of advisers and supporters who protect a leader and influence decisions

4.1

A curved cover above a bike or motorcycle wheel that stops mud and water splashing on the rider

4.0

A curved shield above a bicycle or motorcycle wheel that keeps mud and water off the rider

watch guard
  • Archaic
6.7

A short chain or ribbon that clips a pocket watch to clothing

How Protective

defense
  • US
460 1.4
protection
974 1.0
guard
180 1.0
safeguard
61 4.0
precaution
229 3.4

Surface Forms

guard singular
guards plural

Etymology

Guard comes from an old German word meaning 'to watch' or 'protect', and is related to ward and warden. So something that acts as a guard gives protection or safety, which is why being 'caught off guard' means being without protection.