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 gray or white hair. Does anyone know if they found the man from this morning's Silver Alert?

See also: alert, silver

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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 © Farlex 2017

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. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.