alert
Related to alert: Amber Alert, Medic Alert
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
on red alert
In the highest possible state of readiness to address or prepare for some imminent danger, threat, trouble, or difficulty. 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
on the alert
Particularly watchful, attentive, or prepared (for something). Security personnel are on the alert for anyone carrying suspicious-looking packages or behaving strangely. We've been on the alert ever since we heard there had been a string of burglaries in our part of town.
See also: alert, on
Silver Alert
A public alert issued in the United States to help locate a missing senior citizen, especially one who has dementia. It is similar to the Amber Alert system that exists to help locate missing children. "Silver" is a term often associated with senior citizens, referring to the gray or white hair that often have. Primarily heard in US. Does anyone know if they found the man from this morning's Silver Alert?
See also: alert, silver
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
on ˌred aˈlert
prepared for an emergency or for something dangerous to happen: Following the bomb blast, local hospitals have been put on red alert.See also: alert, on, red
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the alert
Watchful and prepared for danger, emergency, or opportunity: bird watchers on the alert for a rare species.
See also: alert, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- alert the public
- public eye
- go public with
- go public with (something)
- make public
- be public property
- the common weal
- the public weal
- intent
- avowed intent