corporal's guard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Journalistic, Military (historical)
Quick answer
What does “corporal's guard” mean?
A very small, often minimal, group or force of people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small, often minimal, group or force of people.
Used to describe an excessively small number of people, often insufficient for the task at hand, or a tiny, loyal group of followers. Historically, the smallest tactical unit in certain military structures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is equally rare in both varieties. British usage may have a slightly stronger historical/military literary resonance.
Connotations
Smallness, insufficiency, historical military reference.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken or written English. Primarily found in historical texts, literary prose, and as a figurative expression.
Grammar
How to Use “corporal's guard” in a Sentence
[Subject] + [verb] + with/only/have + a corporal's guardA corporal's guard + [verb] + [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The entire night shift was run by a corporal's guard of three employees.'
Academic
Used in historical or political analysis: 'The governor arrived with only a corporal's guard, signalling his peaceful intent.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Historical military term for the smallest unit under a corporal's command; obsolete in modern doctrine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corporal's guard”
- Using the plural 'corporals' guard' (incorrect).
- Using it as a countable plural ('three corporal's guards').
- Confusing it with 'corps' or 'corporeal'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, somewhat literary or historical idiom.
No, it is an obsolete historical term and is now used almost exclusively as a metaphor for a very small group.
It is singular possessive, meaning 'the guard belonging to/commanded by a (single) corporal'.
'A skeleton crew' or 'a handful' are good modern equivalents in the right context.
A very small, often minimal, group or force of people.
Corporal's guard is usually literary, journalistic, military (historical) in register.
Corporal's guard: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɔː.p(ə.)rəlz ˈɡɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.pɚ.əlz ˈɡɑrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[could be mustered] only a corporal's guard”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CORPORAL (a low-ranking soldier) who is only in charge of a GUARD of two other people – a ridiculously small command.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE (A small number is a small military unit).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'a corporal's guard' primarily signify?