qui vive

[kee veev]

1. who goes there? (used as a sentry's challenge)

qui vive

/ ˌkiː ˈviːv /

noun

1. on the alert; attentive

Word History and Origins

Origin of qui vive¹

1720–30; < French: literally, (long) live who? (i.e., on whose side are you?)

Word History and Origins

Origin of qui vive¹

C18: from French, literally: long live who?, sentry's challenge (equivalent to "To whose party do you belong?" or "Whose side do you support?")

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the qui vive, on the alert; watchful.

   Special guards were on the qui vive for trespassers.