have one's guard up
Braced for trouble
To have one's guard up is to be wary, defensive, or cautious—ready to protect oneself from harm, criticism, or emotional vulnerability.
The image comes from boxing, where a fighter keeps hands raised to block punches.
She always has her guard up around strangers.
After getting burned in his last relationship, he had his guard up.
The opposite is to let one's guard down.
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
- on the defensiveGuarding against criticism or attack
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- keeping distanceRemaining spatially separated
caution · distrust · wariness · playing it safe · proceed with caution · protection · skepticism · apprehension · readiness · defense · alertness · fortification · barricade · armor · vigilance · hesitancy · self-preservation · mindfulness
have one's guard upopen up
Reveal inner thoughts
have faith in · take at face value · let someone in · wear one's heart on one's sleeve
have one's guard upopen up
Reveal inner thoughts
wear one's heart on one's sleeve · let someone in · bare one's soul
have, having, ones, guard, guards, guarded, guarding, guardian, guardians