be on guard

be on guard

To be very attentive and alert, so as to avoid danger in a particular situation. A possessive pronoun can be used between "on" and "guard." When you're in the big city, you need to be on guard against criminals. I'm on my guard because I know the older guys on the team are going to prank me. I hope she's on her guard. Those trails can be a bit treacherous to climb.
See also: guard, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • at one's leisure
  • make (one's) money stretch
  • stretch money
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • a bitter pill to swallow
  • third person
  • (Is) this taken?
  • identify with
  • rescue from
  • rescue from (someone or something)