qui viven.
/ˌkiː ˈviːv/, U.S. /ˌki ˈviv/ 1. on (also upon) the qui vive: on the alert; on the lookout.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > vigilant or on one's guard [phrase]
on warec893
on (also upon) one's guard1574
on (at, of, upon) one's keeping1590
on, upon (the) watch1719
on (also upon) the qui vive1726
on the alert1795
on one's toes1921
1726 J. Swift Let. 15 Oct. (2003) III. 35 Is it imagined that I must be..Alway upon the qui vive and the Slip Slop.
1752 H. Fielding Amelia II. v. vii. 141 Though he be a little too much on the Qui vive, he is a Man of great Honour.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple III. xiv. 181 This put us all on the qui vive.
1883 E. P. Roe in Harper's Mag. Dec. 56/1 ‘What now, Webb?’ cried Burtis, all on the qui vive.
1933 B. Gadelius Human Mentality vii. 163 His senses are always on the qui-vive.
1980 V. S. Pritchett Tale Bearers 85 Greene is always on the qui vive for the ironies of impotence and desire.
2002 A. Caulfield Show me Magic xiv. 287 I love big dangerous cities, always having to be on the qui vive.
2. Chiefly in France or in French-speaking contexts: a cry of ‘qui vive’, typically used as a challenge by a sentry. Cf. who goes there? at go v. Phrases 2a. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1740 tr. G. Alderfeld Mil. Hist. Charles XII. III. 158 Upon which having demanded the quivive with his pistol in his hand, and receiving no answer, [he] returned..to look for his Majesty.
1820 A. J. Kempre tr. E. O. I. Odeleben Campaign in Saxony II. v. 322 The wonted stillness of night was now only interrupted by..the qui vive? of the sentinels.
1903 B. Carman Poems II. 110 From behind the tall door that swings outward, replies no patrol To our restless Qui vive?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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