be on the qui vive
1To be on the qui vive — Qui vive Qui vive (k[ e] v[ e]v ). [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; used like the English challenge: Who comes there? [1913 Webster] {To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to …
2on the qui vive — noun lively attentiveness • Syn: ↑alertness, ↑sharp sightedness • Derivationally related forms: ↑sharp sighted (for: ↑sharp sightedness), ↑alert (for: ↑ …
3Qui vive — (k[ e] v[ e]v ). [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; used like the English challenge: Who comes there? [1913 Webster] {To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to be watchful and… …
4qui vive? — [kē vēv′] 〚Fr, (long) live who? (i.e., which monarch or ruler do you support?, whose side are you on?), 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of vivre, to live (< L vivere) + qui, who (< L)〛 who goes there? a sentry s challenge on the qui vive on the… …
5qui vive? — [kē vēv′] [Fr, (long) live who? (i.e., which monarch or ruler do you support?, whose side are you on?), 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of vivre, to live (< L vivere) + qui, who (< L)] who goes there? a sentry s challenge on the qui vive on… …
6on the qui vive — on the alert or lookout. → qui vive …
7qui vive — noun Etymology: French qui vive, from qui vive? long live who?, challenge of a French sentry Date: 1726 alert, lookout used in the phrase on the qui vive …
8qui vive — /kee veev / 1. (italics) French. who goes there? 2. on the qui vive, on the alert; watchful: Special guards were on the qui vive for trespassers. [1720 30; < F lit., (long) live who? (i.e., on whose side are you?)] * * * …
9qui vive — /ki ˈviv/ (say kee veev) phrase on the qui vive, on the alert. {French: (long) live who? – as if calling for such a reply as Vive le roi! Long live the king!} …
10qui vive — (kee VEEV) [French: who goes there?] On the qui vive: on the lookout; on the alert; watchful …
