keep one's guard up
Remain defensively alert
To keep one's guard up is to remain watchful and ready to defend oneself, whether physically or emotionally.
The phrase comes from boxing and martial arts, where lowering your guard leaves you vulnerable to a blow.
Figuratively, it means staying cautious and not letting yourself become too trusting or open: After being hurt so many times, she always keeps her guard up in relationships.
- self-protectionSafeguarding one's own wellbeing
- walls upErects emotional defenses
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- emotional armorPsychological self-protection mechanism
- fortifyingMaking stronger or sturdier
caution · playing it safe · wariness · trust issues · bracing · brace yourself · discerning · anticipating · hesitance · on edge · prudence · suspicion · mindfulness · alertness · blocking · defending · preparing · detecting
keep one's guard uplet one's guard down
Cease being defensive
drop one's guard · open up · wear one's heart on one's sleeve · let someone in · bare one's soul
keep one's guard upopen up
Reveal inner thoughts
bare one's soul · wear one's heart on one's sleeve · let someone in · expose oneself · show one's true colors
keep one's guard upthrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
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