advance guard
noun/ədˌvɑːns ˈɡɑːd/
/ədˌvæns ˈɡɑːrd/
(also advanced guard)
[countable + singular or plural verb]- a group of soldiers who go somewhere to make preparations before other soldiers arrive
- The advance guard was/were already on the march.
- (figurative) White blood cells may be considered the advance guard of the immune system.
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advance guard