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On the qui vive

adv

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    In a state of heightened vigilance, especially prior to battle.

    "The political influence wielded by many of the court ladies, and especially by the first lady-in-waiting (mother of the present Emperor), bears a certain resemblance to that which the eunuchs wielded under the later Manchus at the court of Peking. […] And behind the 30 ladies-in-waiting there are the rank and file of female palace attendants, some 300, all of Kyoto stock—quite sufficient to keep any conscientious chamberlain on the qui vive."

Noun
  1. 1
    lively attentiveness wordnet

Etymology

Partial calque of French sur le qui-vive (“in a state of heightened vigilance”).

See also for "on the qui vive"

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