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estar em guarda

[ɛʃ'taɾ ẽ 'gwaɾdɐ]
verb phrase
to be on guard
1. to be alert, vigilant, or watchful; to be ready to defend oneself or be cautious
You should stay on guard when dealing with strangers.
Você deve estar em guarda ao lidar com estranhos.
2. in boxing or martial arts, to maintain a defensive stance with arms positioned for protection
The boxer remained in guard throughout the match.
O boxeador permaneceu em guarda durante toda a luta.
3. to be suspicious or cautious about something
I am on guard against false promises.
Estou em guarda contra promessas falsas.
NYC Slang
stay sharp; keep your guard up
Synonyms
estar atentoestar vigilanteestar alertaestar de prontidãoestar precavido
Antonyms
estar desatentoestar desprevenidoestar desarmadoestar confiante

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
estar em guarda
Standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
estar em guarda
Common in formal and informal contexts
Portugal
estar em guarda
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

baixar a guarda
levantar a guarda
de guarda
montar guarda
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