drop one's guard
Let defenses down
To drop one's guard is to relax vigilance or become less defensive, leaving oneself vulnerable.
From boxing, where lowering protective hands exposes the face to punches.
The phrase usually describes emotional or psychological openness: She rarely drops her guard around strangers.
It can also mean becoming careless about potential threats: Don't drop your guard just because things are going well.
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- trustConfidence in another
- openNot closed
- relaxBecome less tense
- open upReveal inner thoughts
miscalculation · bare · defenselessness · moment of weakness · exposure · complacency · danger · overconfidence · ambush · sneak attack · negligence · smile · melt · unpreparedness · taken by surprise · lower · error · underestimation
drop one's guardstay alert
Maintain active awareness
keep one's guard up · keep watch · be on the lookout · keep one's eyes open · stay sharp
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