To take precautions to prevent something harmful or undesirable from happening.
To be careful and take steps to stop something bad from happening.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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
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."
To stand guard, preventing something from getting through — fairly transparent.
To be careful and take steps to stop something bad from happening.
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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