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guard
Don't let the fox guard the henhouse.
Don't assign the duty of protecting or controlling valuable information or resources to someone who is likely to exploit that opportunity. You're going to put your ex-convict brother-in-law in charge of your business? I can't tell you how to run your company, but don't let the fox guard the henhouse.
fox guarding the henhouse
A person likely to exploit the information or resources that he or she has been charged to protect or control. My sister is going to put her ex-convict brother-in-law in charge of her business, and I'm worried he'll be like a fox guarding the henhouse.
let down (one's) guard
To become less guarded or vigilant; to stop being cautious about potential trouble or danger. We'll wait long enough for them to let down their guard before we launch our invasion. There will always be people in this business looking to exploit you, so you can never let down your guard.
lower (one's) guard
To become less guarded or vigilant; to stop being cautious about potential trouble or danger. We'll wait long enough for them to lower their guard before we launch our invasion. There will always be people in this business looking to exploit you, so you can never lower your guard.
drop (one's) guard
To become less guarded or vigilant; to stop being cautious about potential trouble or danger. We'll wait long enough for them to drop their guard before we launch our invasion. There will always be people in this business looking to exploit you, so you can never drop your guard.
be caught off (one's) guard
To be taken by surprise; to be caught when one is vulnerable, careless, or inattentive. We'll wait until he's caught off guard, and then we'll take him and his company for all they're worth! Don't be caught off your guard. There are a lot of suspicious characters around here.
be off (one's) guard
To not be especially careful or vigilant; to not be prepared for danger or surprises. We'll wait until he's off guard, and then we'll take him and his company for all they're worth! Don't be off your guard, there are a lot of suspicious characters around here!
off (one's) guard
Not being especially careful or vigilant; not prepared for danger or surprises; being careless or inattentive. He's got a lot of tricky moves, so don't be caught off your guard! We'll wait until he's off his guard, and then we'll take him and his company for all they're worth!
take guard
(cricket) Of a batsman, to stand in a ready position to receive the bowled ball, especially after having asked the umpire to indicate his or her position in relation to the stumps. The umpire has ruled the bowl a dead ball, as the batsman had not yet taken guard.
be on guard
To be very attentive and alert, so as to avoid danger in a particular situation. A possessive pronoun can be used between "on" and "guard." When you're in the big city, you need to be on guard against criminals. I'm on my guard because I know the older guys on the team are going to prank me.
catch someone off guard
and catch one off (one's) guardFig. to catch a person at a time of carelessness. Tom caught Ann off guard and frightened her. She caught me off my guard, and my hesitation told her I was lying.
guard against someone or something
to take care to avoid someone or something. Try to guard against getting a cold. You should guard against pickpockets.
guard someone or something from someone or something
to protect someone or something from someone or something. The assistant manager will guard your valuables from thieves. She guarded the kitten from the angry dog.
let one's guard down
Fig. to stop guarding oneself against trouble; to relax one's vigilance. He never lets his guard down because he trusts no one.
*on (one's) guard (against someone or something)
alert against someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) Try to stay on guard against pickpockets. I am always on my guard. Be on guard when you go into the city.
put one on one's guard
to make one wary or cautious. The menacing growl by the watchdog put me on my guard. Every time the boss comes around, it puts me on my guard.
catch somebody off guard
to surprise someone He's used to being interviewed and it seems that no question catches him off guard.
catch somebody off guard
to surprise someone One of the larger airlines caught the competition off guard yesterday by announcing a cut in fares.
drop your guard
also lower your guard to stop being careful about sharing your ideas or feelings Once he knew I wasn't a journalist, he dropped his guard and even let me take a photograph of him.
on your guard
to be careful and aware because a situation might be dangerous I resent this attitude that you can't trust anybody, that you always have to be on your guard.
be on (your) guard
to be careful to avoid being tricked or getting into a dangerous situation I feel I have to be on my guard with her because she's always trying to get information out of me. (often + against ) Shop assistants must always be on guard against shoplifters.
catch/take somebody off guard
to surprise someone by doing or saying something they were not expecting One of the larger airlines caught its rivals off guard yesterday by suddenly announcing a cut in fares. When they asked me to babysit, I was taken off guard and found myself agreeing to it.
drop/lower your guard
to stop being careful to avoid danger or difficulty Once he knew I wasn't a journalist, he dropped his guard and even let me take a photograph of him.
the old guard
a group of people who have worked in an organization for a long time and do not want it to change She has tried to resist attempts by the old guard to halt the reform process.
catch off guard
off guard
Also, off one's guard. Not watchful, easily surprised. It is often put as catch (or be caught) off guard, meaning "take (or be taken) by surprise." For example, The securities analyst was caught off guard by that financial report, or With any luck the boss will be off guard when I come in late. [Late 1600s] The antonym, on guard or on one's guard, meaning "watchful or prepared, especially to defend oneself," was first recorded in 1577. For example, In this crowd we must be on guard against pickpockets, or I'm always on my guard when I'm asked how I voted.
on one's guard
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.
nard guard
n. a male genital protector. (see also nads, nards.) There was a nard guard attached to the center of the handlebars.
off (one's) guard
Not alert; unprepared.
on (one's) guard
Alert and watchful; cautious.
stand guard
1. To keep watch.
2. To act as a sentinel.