qui vive

American  

[kee veev] / ki ˈviv /

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of qui vive

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

Example Sentences

“Like hungry little foxes,” her co-conspirators are “always on the qui vive, looking to squeeze out every bit of fun they could in the thicket of rules and regulations.”

From New York Times

Madeline Grover's breathless story had set every one on the qui vive, and for several minutes everyone was wondering what all the rest would do.

From Project Gutenberg

What she might say next was never certain, and the uncertainty kept him always on the qui vive.

From Project Gutenberg

This put us upon the qui vive; Philip and myself still remained on board the armed vessels, and sending my schooner on ahead, we followed her, one on each quarter.

From Project Gutenberg

"You see, they would instantly detect any movement of ours down the hill; and by the time we got to the camp the enemy would be on the qui vive."

From Project Gutenberg