keep one's head on a swivel
To be on the alert, to be watchful.
You all kept your head on a swivel and that's what you gotta do when you find yourself in a vicious cock fight.
swivel
/ˈswɪvəl/
noun 5verb 1
Collocations
3ADJ.
comfortable, new, red
VERB + SWIVEL
back, borrow, bought, seats
PREP.
in, on
Definitions
noun
1
A piece, such as a ring or hook, attached to another piece by a pin, in such a manner as to permit rotation about the pin as an axis.
The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.
2
A small piece of ordnance, turning on a point or swivel; called also swivel gun.
[The settlement] was entirely surrounded by a broad unfordable marsh or swamp, which prevented all communication, except by private paths under water, known only to the rebels, and before which Baron had placed loaded swivels […]
Applied to guns mounted upon the cartridges were fired without being tripods, stands, swivels, or carriages
3
Strength of mind or character that enables one to overcome adversity; confidence; force of will.
Bob ain't got no swivel.
4
The act of swivelling.
5
A rotating of the hips.
verb
1
To swing or turn, as on a pin or pivot.
As expected, Swansea began the game with some patient passing and the first chance fell to striker Michu in the fourth minute when he controlled a cross by Jonjo Shelvey and swivelled in the penalty box, only to fire over the bar.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb — turn on a pivot
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed
Wiktionary02
[The settlement] was entirely surrounded by a broad unfordable marsh or swamp, which prevented all communication, except by private paths under water, known only to the rebels, and before which Baron
Wiktionary03
Applied to guns mounted upon the cartridges were fired without being tripods, stands, swivels, or carriages
Wiktionary04
As expected, Swansea began the game with some patient passing and the first chance fell to striker Michu in the fourth minute when he controlled a cross by Jonjo Shelvey and swivelled in the penalty b
Wiktionary05
A desk stood in the centre, with a red leather swivel chair.
Tatoeba · #32926206
Tom bought a new swivel chair to go with his new computer desk.
Tatoeba · #3338826Usage Notes
i Register
In some senses, swivel is marked as slang. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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