Meaning: Scales help keep fish safe from being hurt.
Choice of Words: Scales are small, hard plates that cover the body of a fish. Protect means to keep something safe from harm.
Alternative Expressions
The fish's scales are its armor.
Meaning: This means that the scales on a fish are like a suit of armor that helps to protect it from danger.
Choice of Words:Armor is a protective covering that is worn to protect the body from injury. Scales are the hard, overlapping plates that cover the body of a fish.
The scales on the fish are like a shield.
Meaning: This means that the scales on a fish are like a shield that helps to protect it from danger.
Choice of Words:Shield is a piece of armor that is held in the hand and used to protect the body from attack. Scales are the hard, overlapping plates that cover the body of a fish.