qui vive

American  

[kee veev] / ki ˈviv /

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

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idioms

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

   Special guards were on the qui vive for trespassers.

qui vive British  

/ ˌkiː ˈviːv /

noun

1. on the alert; attentive

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Etymology

Origin of qui vive

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

qui vive

In support of Candidate Paul Johnson, Mrs. Bilbo last week issued the following signed statement: Every leading Briton seemed on the qui vive last week to thwart Benito Mussolini's candid designs on Ethiopia.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Angora Government, with its five senses on the qui vive, is anxious to draw America into the next meeting of the Lausanne Conference, scheduled to take place on April 23.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was supposed to have had her on the qui vive since she was 15, but now she could not find him.

From Time Magazine Archive

But events darkly occurring in Manchuria kept all the Russias on the qui vive.

From Time Magazine Archive

She looked quite stunning as she walked across the dining room to the table, not at all unlike a girl on the qui vive appropriate to a big college weekend.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger