shielding someone

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Protecting a person from danger, harm, or an unpleasant situation, often by taking the risk or blame yourself.

   Grammar: Used after 'be', 'keep', or a preposition; the person protected comes after 'shielding': shielding someone from something.

   Patterns

   • shielding someone from something
   • be shielding someone
   • keep shielding someone from something

   She was shielding her younger brother from the worst of the news.

   For years he had been shielding his family from the truth about his debts.

   The teacher was accused of shielding a student from the consequences of cheating.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Standing in front of a person so that your body blocks something harmful, such as wind, rain, or a blow.

   Grammar: Often used literally with weather or physical danger; the thing blocked follows 'from'.

   Patterns

   • shielding someone from the rain
   • shielding someone from a blow

   He walked ahead, shielding her from the wind as they crossed the bridge.

   The bodyguard was shielding the singer from the crowd pressing in on all sides.

3. 3phrasefixed phraselegalformal

   In law, protecting a person from being questioned, charged, or punished, especially by hiding facts or giving false information.

   Grammar: A legal and formal use; the protected person usually follows 'shielding'.

   Patterns

   • shielding someone from prosecution
   • accused of shielding someone

   The company was accused of shielding its managers from prosecution.

   Shielding a witness from the police can itself be a crime.

Common combinations

shielding someone from harm

Parents naturally think about shielding their children from harm.

shielding someone from the truth

He kept shielding his mother from the truth about her illness.

shielding someone from criticism

The coach was shielding the young player from criticism in the press.

accused of shielding someone

The minister was accused of shielding a colleague from an inquiry.

shielding someone with your body

She stood between them, shielding the child with her body.

Synonyms and how they differ

protecting

The most general word; it suggests keeping someone safe from harm, while 'shielding' often suggests you put yourself between the person and the danger.

defending

Better when someone is being attacked or criticized and you argue or fight back for them, rather than physically blocking something.

covering for

Informal and used when you take the blame or do someone's work to hide their mistake; 'shielding' can be more serious and long-term.

sheltering

Focuses on giving someone a safe place to stay; 'shielding' focuses on blocking a specific threat.

Opposites

Word family

shield noun

A flat object or barrier that stops something harmful from reaching you.

shield verb

The base verb meaning to protect someone or something from harm.

shielding noun

Material or action that blocks radiation, heat, or harm.

Commonly confused: shielding someone or shielding? shielding someone or sheltering someone?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “shielding someone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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