Synonym Game

on one\'s guard

[gahrd] Origin

guard

[gahrd]
verb (used with object)
1.
to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over: to guard the ruler.
2.
to keep under close watch in order to prevent escape, misconduct, etc.: to guard a prisoner.
3.
to keep under control or restraint as a matter of caution or prudence: to guard one's temper.
4.
to provide or equip with some safeguard or protective appliance, as to prevent loss, injury, etc.
5.
Sports. to position oneself so as to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent on offense): The linebacker moved to his right to guard the end going out for a pass.
EXPAND
6.
Chess. to protect (a piece or a square) by placing a piece in a supportive or defensive position relative to it.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
7.
to take precautions (usually followed by against): to guard against errors.
8.
to give protection; keep watch; be watchful.

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On one's guard is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
noun
9.
a person or group of persons that guards, protects, or keeps a protective or restraining watch.
10.
a person who keeps watch over prisoners or others under restraint.
11.
a body of people, especially soldiers, charged with guarding a place from disturbance, theft, fire, etc.
12.
a close watch, as over a prisoner or other person under restraint: to be kept under guard.
13.
a device, appliance, or attachment that prevents injury, loss, etc.
EXPAND
14.
something intended or serving to guard or protect; safeguard: insurance as a guard against disasters.
15.
a posture of defense or readiness, as in fencing, boxing, or bayonet drill.
16.
Football.
a.
either of the linemen stationed between a tackle and the center.
b.
the position played by this lineman.
17.
Basketball. either of the players stationed in the backcourt.
18.
Chess. a piece that supports or defends another.
19.
Cards. a low card that is held with a high card of the same suit and that enables the holder to save the high card for a later trick.
20.
British. a railroad conductor.
21.
Guards, the name of certain bodies of troops in the British army.
COLLAPSE
22.
off guard, unprepared; unwary: The blow from behind caught him off guard. Also, off one's guard.
23.
on guard, vigilant; wary: on guard against dishonest merchants. Also, on one's guard.
24.
stand guard over, to watch over; protect: The dog stood guard over his wounded master.

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

guard·a·ble, adjective
guard·er, noun
guard·less, adjective
guard·like, adjective
pre·guard, verb (used with object)
EXPAND
self-guard, noun
un·der·guard, noun
un·guard·a·ble, adjective
COLLAPSE


1. shield, shelter, safeguard; preserve, save. See defend. 3. hold, watch. 9. defender, protector; watchman, guardian; guardsman, sentry, sentinel, patrol. 14. defense, protection, aegis, security, safety; bulwark, shield.


1. attack.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To on one's guard
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

guard
early 15c., "one who keeps watch," from M.Fr. garde "guardian, warden, keeper," from garder "to guard," from O.Fr. guarder (corresponding to O.N.Fr. warder, see gu-), from Frank. *wardon, from P.Gmc. *wardo- (see ward (v.)). Abstract or collective
EXPAND
sense of "a keeping, a custody" (as in bodyguard) is from early 15c. Sword-play and boxing sense is from 1590s. The verb is first recorded 1580s, from the noun. Guarded "reserved and cautious in speech, behavior, etc." is from 1728. Guardian (early 14c.) is from Anglo-Fr. gardein, from O.Fr. gardien, earlier guarden, from Frankish *warding-.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

on one's guard

see under off guard.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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