guard against

Shield yourself from

To guard against something is to take precautions to prevent it: Regular exercise guards against heart disease, We installed surge protectors to guard against power spikes.

The phrase implies vigilance and defensive action against potential harm, loss, or undesirable outcomes.

preventStop in advance
avoidStay away from
defendProtect from harm
forestallPrevent by prior action
ward offActively prevent approach

steer clear of · head off · nip in the bud · hedge · protect · keep at bay · preclude · anticipate · wariness · shield · vigilance · avert · make sure · circumspection · save · foresight · precaution · err on the side of caution

Opposites

protective action

guard againstsubject to

Conditionally governed by

encourage · promote · invite · court · welcome

risk orientation

guard againstthrow caution to the wind

Act recklessly, disregarding consequences

take chances · risk · tempt fate · play with fire · live dangerously

attention to threats

guard againstignore

Refuse to notice

neglect · disregard · overlook · dismiss · brush off

Family

guard, against, guards, guarded, guarding, guardian, guardians, guardianship, safeguard

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G