definitions

stand guard

Watch over, act as a lookout, as in We'll climb the tree and get the apples if Josh will stand guard, or There's a parking space; stand guard while I make a U-turn and get to it. This term alludes to the military defense of posting guards to watch for the enemy.

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RELATED WORDS

preserve, safeguard, shield, shelter, defend, cover, insulate, conserve, assure, secure, cushion, save, support, keep, fend, champion, bulwark, harbor, screen, watch

Nearby words

stand by, stand corrected, stand down, stand fast, stand for, stand guard, stand in, stand in awe, stand in for, stand in good stead, stand mixer
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.