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alert

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alert the public

To bring something to the attention of the public at large, especially as a warning of some kind. The purpose of her video was to alert the public to the risks of eating too much sugar. We want to alert the public that the business will be moving to a new location at the end of the month.

See also: alert, public

be on full alert

To be very attentive and ready to take action. This term is often applied to soldiers. We're safe here—the soldiers patrolling the border are on full alert. As soon as I heard my window break in the middle of the night, I was on full alert to fight off an intruder.

See also: alert, full, on

be on red alert

To be very attentive and ready to take action. This term is often applied to soldiers. We're safe here—the soldiers patrolling the border are on red alert. As soon as I heard my window break in the middle of the night, I was on red alert to fight off an intruder.

See also: alert, on, red

alert someone

to something to make someone aware of trouble or potential trouble. The auditors alerted us to some problems with the accounts.

on the alert (for someone or something)

watchful and attentive for someone or something. Be on the alert for pickpockets. You should be on the alert when you cross the street in heavy traffic.

See also: alert, on

be on full/red alert

if soldiers are on full alert, they know that a situation is dangerous and are prepared to act immediately if necessary The British flagship in the area went to battle stations and remained on full alert for twenty minutes.

See also: alert, full, on

on the alert

Watchful, fully prepared, as in The inspectors are always on the alert for a manufacturing error. [Late 1700s]

See also: alert, on

on the alert

Watchful and prepared for danger, emergency, or opportunity: bird watchers on the alert for a rare species.

See also: alert, on