Meaning & use
keep guard
Last updated
UK/kiːp ɡɑːd/
US/kiːp ɡɑːrd/
Meaning
phraseintransitive
To stay watchful and protect someone or something from danger or attack.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'on' or 'over': keep guard on the door.
Patterns
- keep guard on something
- keep guard over someone
Two soldiers kept guard at the entrance all night.
She kept guard over the sleeping children while the others searched for firewood.
The dog keeps guard on the house when we are away.
Common combinations
- keep guard on
- They keep guard on the prisoners day and night.
- keep guard over
- The shepherd kept guard over his flock.
- keep guard at
- A policeman kept guard at the door.
- keep guard while
- I'll keep guard while you sleep.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stand guard
- Similar, but often implies standing in one place; 'keep guard' can be more general and continuous.
- watch over
- Focuses on protecting and caring for someone; 'keep guard' is more about defense and vigilance.
Word family
Practice
Choose the correct preposition: The soldiers kept guard ___ the palace gates.
Choose one answer.
'Keep guard at' is used for a specific location like gates. 'On' is used for a person or thing being guarded, and 'with' and 'for' do not fit this fixed phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “keep guard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.