on the alert

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

“One critical way to undermine that is by having conflicts of interest. We need to be on the alert for people who are advising the government who may have their own personal interests. Plainly, with a figure like Elon Musk, who has such broad holdings, that’s particularly important.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the WHO said the certification was only "the beginning of a new phase", urging Egypt to be on the alert to preserve its malaria-free status.

From BBC

The president said officials would be on the alert for signs of prices being unfairly hiked in the event of potential shortages.

From BBC

For now, forecasters warned the Leeward Islands, where the Caribbean and Atlantic join, to be on the alert.

From BBC

The intelligence community is on the alert for spies looking to penetrate America’s commercial space sector through cyberattacks and strategic investments to gain access to critical networks.

From Washington Times