the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)] > take precautions (2)
intransitive. To make an effort, strive or try to do something; to make a shift; to take precautions against. Scottish and dialect.
In figurative phrases, such as to get to windward of, to gain an advantage over (cf. wind, n.1 3b); to keep to windward of, to keep out of the…