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
SYNONYMS FOR guard
synonym study for guard
1. See
defend.
OTHER WORDS FROM guard
Words nearby guard
guaranteed stock,
guarantor,
guaranty,
guaraní,
guarapuava,
guard,
guard band,
guard cell,
guard dog,
guard duty,
guard hair
British Dictionary definitions for off guard
guard
/ (ɡɑːd) /
verb
noun
Derived forms of guard
guardable, adjective guarder, noun guardless, adjective guardlike, adjectiveWord 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.