Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Fully alert and watchful: Being completely aware of one's surroundings and paying close attention, often in a situation requiring quick reaction or caution.

2. Noun:

   • A warning message or advance notice: A piece of information given in advance to alert someone about a future event, potential problem, or important development.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • The security guard remained heads-up throughout the night, noticing every small movement.
  • Playing heads-up basketball means always knowing where the ball and your opponents are.

• Noun:

  • Thanks for the heads-up about the meeting time change; I would have been late.
  • The manager sent a heads-up to the team that the client's visit was moved to Friday.

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a heads-up": To provide someone with advance warning or information.

  • Can you give me a heads-up when the report is ready for review?

• "To be heads-up": To be in a state of alertness and readiness.

  • In this industry, you need to be heads-up to spot new trends.

Variants and Related Words

• Heads-up display (HUD): A transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoint. (This is a compound term listed separately as a variant).
  • Modern fighter jets and some cars use a heads-up display.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Alert, vigilant, watchful, attentive.
• Noun: Warning, alert, notice, advisory, tip-off.

Related Phrases

• Heads-up play: A term used in games like poker to describe skillful, alert, and strategic play, especially in a one-on-one situation.
  • His heads-up play at the final table won him the championship.

Adjective

1. fully alert and watchful
   • played heads-up ball

Noun

1. a warning message
   • he sent a heads-up to the District Attorney