keep one's head on a swivel

English

Verb

keep one's head on a swivel (third-person singular simple present keeps one's head on a swivel, present participle keeping one's head on a swivel, simple past and past participle kept one's head on a swivel)

1. (intransitive, idiomatic, (with "for")) To be on the alert, to be watchful.
   • 2004, Will Ferrell, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, spoken by Rob Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Apatow Productions; distributed by DreamWorks Pictures:

     You all kept your head on a swivel and that's what you gotta do when you find yourself in a vicious cock fight.

   • 2021, Polo G (lyrics and music), “Black Hearted”, in Hall of Fame:

     Head on a swivel, opposition like a block away

   • 2017, Keesha Middlemass, “Unwelcome Homecoming”, in Convicted and Condemned: The Politics and Policies of Prisoner Reentry, page 65:

     "Reentering is about keeping your head on a swivel. Ya gotta keep your head on a swivel, I'm telling ya, because you don't know what's coming, where it's coming from."

Synonyms

• (to be watchful): keep an eye out, keep one's eyes open

Translations

to be watchful