swivel
To turn around in a circle while staying in one place.
To turn or swing around a fixed point so that the direction changes while staying attached or supported.
A chair you can turn around in.
A chair designed to rotate on its base, especially an office chair.
A part that lets something turn without getting twisted.
A device or joint that allows one part to rotate freely while connected to another part, preventing twisting.
To quickly turn your head or eyes to look somewhere.
To turn your head or eyes quickly to look in a different direction, often because something has caught your attention.
- Base: swivel
- 3rd Person Singular: swivels
- Present Participle: swiveling, swivelling
- Past: swiveled, swivelled
keep your head on a swivel
1stay alert and look around
Be careful and watch everything around you.
- Keep your head on a swivel when you’re crossing those bike lanes.
- The coach told the defenders to keep their heads on a swivel.
- If you’re cycling in traffic, keep your head on a swivel.
- Keep your head on a swivel in traffic.
on a swivel
1constantly watching for trouble
Always look around and be careful.
- When you’re travelling alone, keep your head on a swivel.
- The bouncer kept his eyes on a swivel all night.
- In that neighborhood, you have to be on a swivel after dark.
- On the street, keep your eyes on a swivel.
swivel around
1turn quickly to face behind
To turn quickly.
- He swivelled around when he heard footsteps behind him.
- She swivelled around in her chair to join the conversation.
- The dog swivelled around and ran back to the gate.
- I swivelled around to look.