Dictionary

stay frosty en · VERB

Etymology

Originally military slang, probably as a reference to keeping one's cool, but with extra emphasis because of the need to stay alert in dangerous situations.

Meanings

1. (slang) To be alert and ready for action, without letting one's fear or other emotions get in the way.
   • 1986, 'Corporal Hicks', Aliens (movie): We're all in strung out shape, but stay frosty, and alert
   • In other words, be aware—stay frosty. 2009, Gregory H. Wahl, Charles A. Bobbitt, It Didn't Play in Peoria:
   • Nothing bad will happen to you so long as you stay frosty. 2003, Adam Peck, Manja Sachet, Turkey Guide, page 259:
   • He and a small group of other loyalists stayed frosty and refused to let the unit die. 2007, Sean Michael Flynn, The Fighting 69th: From Ground Zero to Baghdad:
   • We may have to move at a moments notice so stay frosty. 2011, J. R. Brice, The Wrath of Mamba, page 267:
2. (slang) To keep one's cool.
   • Chill out, stay frosty, be cool. 1991, Leigh Daniels, The Basque Swallow, page 197:
   • Then Ray started toward Shane, swinging the metal stick in a lose^([sic – meaning loose]) arc in front of him. "Yeah? Who's gonna stop me, dickwad?" "Come on, let's stay frosty here, Ray. Let's . . . let's — " 2002, Stephen J. Cannell, The Tin Collectors, page 9:
   • King's knees buckled and he sat down on the side of the bed, hard. So much for staying frosty. 2016, Barbara Paul, Good King Sauerkraut:
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay, frosty.
   • Soft drinks, tea, and lemonade round out the beverage menu, but those wanting beer can bring their own for a $3 convenience fee, which includes a bucket of ice to make sure your six-pack stays frosty. 2015, Stephanie Stewart-Howard, Barbecue Lover's Memphis and Tennessee Styles:
   • Nonetheless, the fact of sanctions ensured that Tokyo-Pyongyang relations would stay frosty. 1988, Country Report: China, North Korea, page 36:

Forms

Translations (5)

es permanecer alerta (to be alert and ready for action) · pl zachować czujność (to be alert and ready for action) · es mantenerse alerta (to be alert and ready for action) · pl zachowywać czujność (to be alert and ready for action) · es ponerse mosca (to be alert and ready for action)