Antonyms for off guard


Grammar : Adj, adv
Spell : gahrd
Phonetic Transcription : gɑrd


Definition of off guard

Origin :
  • early 15c., "one who keeps watch," from Middle French garde "guardian, warden, keeper; watching, keeping, custody," from Old French garder "to keep, maintain, preserve, protect" (corresponding to Old North French warder, see gu-), from Frankish *wardon, from Proto-Germanic *wardo- "to guard" (see ward (v.)). Abstract or collective sense of "a keeping, a custody" (as in bodyguard) also is from early 15c. Sword-play and fisticuffs sense is from 1590s. Guard-rail attested from 1860.
  • As in inattentive : adj negligent, not paying attention
  • As in incautious : adj not careful
  • As in off-guard : adj unprepared
  • As in unsuspecting : adj gullible
  • As in unawares : adv without warning; suddenly
  • As in off-guard : adv when not paying attention

Synonyms for off guard

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019