vive : Idioms & Phrases


on the qui vive

  • noun lively attentiveness
    sharp-sightedness; alertness.
WordNet

qui vive

  • noun condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
    alert.
    • bombers were put on alert during the crisis
WordNet
Qui` vive"
Etymology
F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.
Definitions
  1. The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: "Who comes there?"
Webster 1913

To be on the qui vive

  • to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel.
Webster 1913