guard

[ gahrd ]
/ gɑrd /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to take precautions (usually followed by against): to guard against errors.
to give protection; keep watch; be watchful.

noun

Idioms for guard

Origin of guard

1375–1425; late Middle English garde guardianship < Old French g(u)arde, noun derivative of g(u)arder (v.) < Germanic; see ward

synonym study for guard

1. See defend.

OTHER WORDS FROM guard

British Dictionary definitions for off guard

guard
/ (ɡɑːd) /

verb

noun

Derived forms of guard

guardable, adjective guarder, noun guardless, adjective guardlike, adjective

Word Origin for guard

C15: from Old French garde, from garder to protect, of Germanic origin; compare Spanish guardar; see ward

Idioms and Phrases with off guard (1 of 2)

off guard

Also, off one's guard. Not watchful, easily surprised. It is often put as catch (or be caught) off guard, meaning “take (or be taken) by surprise.” For example, The securities analyst was caught off guard by that financial report, or With any luck the boss will be off guard when I come in late. [Late 1600s] The antonym, on guard or on one's guard, meaning “watchful or prepared, especially to defend oneself,” was first recorded in 1577. For example, In this crowd we must be on guard against pickpockets, or I'm always on my guard when I'm asked how I voted.

Idioms and Phrases with off guard (2 of 2)

guard

see off guard; stand guard.