on your guard
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Alert and cautious: Being in a state of watchfulness and preparedness against potential danger, deception, or trouble.
Usage
- This phrase describes a state of heightened awareness. It is used to advise someone to be careful or to describe someone who is being careful.
- It is typically used after a form of the verb "to be" (e.g., , , , , , ).
- It can be used in both active situations ("Be on your guard!") and descriptive ones ("She was on her guard.").
Examples
- Adjective:
- Tourists should be on their guard against pickpockets in crowded areas.
- After the previous betrayal, he was constantly on his guard during negotiations.
- The warning put the entire neighborhood on their guard.
Advanced Usage
"to be on one's guard": To maintain a state of caution. The possessive adjective (my, your, his, her, our, their) changes according to the subject.
- I am on my guard when walking home late at night.
- The soldiers were on their guard throughout the night.
"to put someone on their guard": To cause someone to become cautious or wary.
- The strange noise put the campers on their guard.
- Her cryptic message put me on my guard.
Variants and Related Words
- On guard: A slightly more formal or general variant, often used without a possessive adjective.
- The sentry was on guard at the gate.
- Off (one's) guard: The opposite state; not alert or prepared.
- The question caught him off his guard.
Synonyms
- Vigilant: Watchful, especially for danger or difficulty.
- Wary: Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
- Alert: Quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances.
- Cautious: Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
Related Phrases
- Keep your eyes peeled: To watch very carefully for something.
- Watch your step: To act with caution.
Adjective
- vigilant
- on guard against con artists
- must remain on your guard in such a situation