on the qui vive

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Word: On the qui vive

Meaning: The phrase "on the qui vive" means being alert, watchful, or attentive to something, especially to potential danger or excitement. It refers to a state of being ready to notice or react to something happening around you.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use this phrase when talking about being vigilant or aware of your surroundings.
• It is often used in contexts where someone needs to be careful or prepared for something unexpected.

Example:

• "The security team was on the qui vive during the concert, watching for any unusual behavior in the crowd."

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal or literary contexts, you might find this phrase used to describe a heightened state of awareness, often in situations that require careful observation or anticipation of events.

Word Variants:

• There aren't direct variants of "on the qui vive," but you could describe someone as "being vigilant" or "being alert."

Different Meaning:

• While "on the qui vive" primarily refers to attentiveness, it can also imply a state of excitement or eagerness to see or experience something.

Synonyms:

• Alert
• Watchful
• Vigilant
• Attentive
• Aware

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "on the qui vive" is an idiomatic expression in itself, there are related phrases you might find useful: - On alert: Similar meaning, being ready for something. - Keep an eye out: To watch carefully for something.

Summary:

To sum up, "on the qui vive" signifies a lively attentiveness, where someone is actively and keenly observing their surroundings or a particular situation.

Academic

Noun

1. lively attentiveness

Synonyms

• alertness
• sharp-sightedness