en garde

[ahn gahrd, ahn gard]

interjection

Fencing.

1. (used as the call to the fencers by the director of a match to assume the prescribed position preparatory to action.)

en garde

/ ɑ̃ ɡard /

interjection

1. on guard; a call to a fencer to adopt a defensive stance in readiness for an attack or bout

adjective

1. (of a fencer) in such a stance

Word History and Origins

Origin of en garde¹

< French: on guard

Example Sentences

Every bout starts with an en garde stance: One foot pointed forward, the other sideways, knees bent in different directions, shoulders turned just so.

From Los Angeles Times

When American cockroaches take an en garde position, they can kick at their attackers, he explained.

From Fox News

From his perch atop the shoulders of his mother’s boyfriend, Kai Oliver raised his red, white and blue light saber in a patriotic en garde, prepared to joust with the Washington Monument.

From Washington Post

Homer took a moment before stepping to the en garde line.

From Los Angeles Times

By stepping to the en garde line at Carioca Arena 3 on Monday morning, Muhammad became the first American to compete at the Games in a hijab, the headscarf traditionally worn by some Muslim women.

From Los Angeles Times