stand sentry
Maintain vigilant post
To stand sentry is to keep watch or guard a place, originally as a military duty.
A sentry stands at a post, alert for threats or intruders.
The phrase extends to any vigilant watching: The dog stood sentry at the gate all night.
It implies remaining in position, attentive and ready.
- night watchOvernight security patrol
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- watchmanBuilding security guard
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- on watchActively monitoring surroundings
watchtower · alertness · uniform · at attention · perimeter · lookout · oversight · garrison · military police · changing of the guard · armed guard · protection · readiness · weapon · awareness · observe · alarm system · posture
stationary vs. mobile security activity
stand sentrypatrol
Regular surveillance route
walk the beat · roam · reconnoiter · scout · rove
stand, sentry, stands, standing, stander, standee, understand, withstand, outstanding