Definition

1. 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

1. vigilant
   • on guard against con artists
   • must remain on your guard in such a situation