keep one's head on a swivel

present singular third person keeps one's head on a swivel · participle present keeping one's head on a swivel · participle past kept one's head on a swivel · past kept one's head on a swivel

1. idiomaticintransitive(with "for")To be on the alert, to be watchful.

   Near-synonyms: keep an eye out, keep one's eyes open

   3 more examples

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

   2004, Will Ferrell, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, spoken by Rob Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Apatow Productions; distributed by DreamWorks Pictures

   Head on a swivel, opposition like a block away

   2021, Polo G, “Black Hearted”, in Hall of Fame

   "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."

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

   Synonyms: keep an eye out, keep one's eyes open