guard yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give someone advice or to warn them about a potential danger. Example: "Be careful when you go out tonight, guard yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"In this world that can be a very painful place, there can be a tendency to guard yourself," he said.

The New York Times

"When you go through an injury and you come back and, I guess, try to compensate and guard yourself, I feel like I let my mechanics get out of whack doing that," Bruney said.

The New York Times - Sports

When it comes to the royal wedding, according to a poll by ComRes, 59% of us couldn't care less or are "largely indifferent" – but if you are planning communal revels, you should supposedly be ready to guard yourself against the wrecking tactics of the beastly Labour movement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Guard yourself against all kinds of greed.

Duke University

In the meantime, use these tips to guard yourself against a world filled with misleading statistics.

TechCrunch

You can use it to guard yourself from other people's priorities and to cut through your rapidly expanding To Do list.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The answer lies in Russell's words: "Until you have admitted your own fears to yourself, and have guarded yourself by a difficult effort of will against their myth-making power, you cannot hope to think truly about many matters of great importance... ..... Fear is noisy, and it takes up a lot of space.

The New York Times

Greatness is not guarding yourself from the people, greatness is being accepted by the people.

Huffington Post

If you are protecting and guarding yourself, you are unavailable for intimacy.

Huffington Post

Impersonate a security guard, pass yourself off as a bartender or just hide in plain sight in order to approach your target undetected.

Huffington Post

When a smile makes you feel uncomfortable then keep guard of yourself.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guard yourself" when advising someone to be cautious and take actions to protect themselves from potential harm, whether physical, emotional, or financial.

Common error

While "guard yourself" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversations. Opt for more natural-sounding alternatives like "be careful" or "watch out" to maintain a relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

"Guard yourself" functions as an imperative phrase, primarily used to advise or warn someone to take precautions and protect themselves from potential harm or danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and generally serves as a direct instruction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guard yourself" is a versatile phrase used to advise caution and encourage protective measures. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and can be employed in various scenarios, though overuse in informal settings should be avoided. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, demonstrating its broad applicability. Consider alternative phrases like "protect yourself" or "be cautious" to add variety to your writing. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context and audience to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protect yourself

This is the most direct synonym, focusing on the act of shielding oneself from harm or danger.

be on your guard

This suggests a state of readiness and vigilance against potential threats or surprises.

defend yourself

This implies a more active role in warding off threats or attacks.

shield yourself

This suggests creating a barrier or buffer against something negative.

be cautious

This emphasizes a state of alertness and awareness of potential risks.

take precautions

This highlights the proactive steps taken to minimize risks.

secure yourself

Focuses on ensuring one's safety or stability, often in a physical or financial sense.

look out for yourself

This emphasizes personal responsibility for one's own safety and well-being.

fortify yourself

Implies strengthening one's defenses against potential threats or challenges.

cover your bases

An idiomatic expression for taking all necessary steps to avoid problems or negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "guard yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "guard yourself" to advise someone to be cautious and protective, such as, "When traveling alone, it's important to "guard yourself" against potential scams".

What is a more casual alternative to "guard yourself"?

In informal settings, consider using phrases like "be careful", "watch out", or "look out for yourself" to convey a similar meaning without sounding overly formal.

Is "guard yourself" only used for physical protection?

No, "guard yourself" can also apply to emotional or financial protection. For example, "Guard yourself against overspending by creating a budget" or "Guard yourself from emotional distress by setting healthy boundaries."

What's the difference between "protect yourself" and "guard yourself"?

While similar, "protect yourself" generally implies a more direct action to prevent harm, whereas ""guard yourself"" suggests a more vigilant and proactive approach to avoiding potential risks.