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guard against

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To be careful and take steps to stop something bad from happening.

Literal meaning: To stand guard, preventing something from getting through — fairly transparent.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To take preventive measures to stop something harmful from occurring.

"You should always guard against complacency — that's when most mistakes are made."

""We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.""

— President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, January 17, 1961
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To take measures to protect one's health against illness or infection.

"Regular handwashing is one of the simplest ways to guard against the spread of viruses."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used in a wide range of formal and informal contexts — from health advice ('guard against infection') to legal and political discourse ('guard against abuse of power'). Always followed by a noun or gerund. Common in instructional and advisory language.

Commonly used with

disease complacency abuse risk corruption mistakes

Forms

Base
guard against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
guards against
he/she/it
Past simple
guarded against
yesterday
Past participle
guarded against
have + pp
-ing form
guarding against
continuous

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Synonyms

protect against defend against prevent safeguard against take precautions against ward off

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