sur le pied de guerre

French

Etymology

Compare Dutch op voet van oorlog.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /syʁ lə pje d(ə) ɡɛʁ/

Prepositional phrase

sur le pied de guerre

1. on a war footing (in a state of preparedness for waging war; ready to go to war; ready to go into battle)

   Antonym: sur le pied de paix

2. (figuratively) in fighting trim (in good preparation or condition; ready to confront a challenge)

See also

• sur le qui-vive
• aux aguets
• sur la brèche