on notice

USAGE SUMMARY

"on notice" is an idiomatic phrase that is used in written English.
It is used to express that someone is being warned to take an action or face a consequence. For example, you could say, "I put her on notice that she had to finish her project by the end of the week or face disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Legal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For what it's worth, consider yourself put on notice.

The New York Times

I asked him what he meant by "on notice".

The New Yorker

Last year, Obama said schools were "on notice".

Huffington Post

Forlow Megan Koesthison theyter.

Vice

"You are on notice!

The New York Times

You're on notice".

The New Yorker

"AMERICA, be placed on notice.

The Economist

Well, you're now on notice.

The New York Times

"It puts them on notice.

The New York Times

Mr Dung is on notice.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It would immediately put everyone--including the Democrats--on notice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "put", "place" or "be" to establish the state of the subject clearly in a sentence.

Common error

Do not confuse being "on notice" with "giving notice". While the latter typically refers to an employee resigning from a position, being "on notice" means the subject is being watched or has been warned about their performance or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on notice" serves as an idiomatic prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used as an object complement or a predicative adjective following the verb "to be". It acts as a marker of accountability and formal communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

30%

Legal & Administrative

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Academic Research

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "on notice" is a powerful and versatile idiom used to deliver formal warnings across a variety of sectors. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its high frequency in reputable news outlets, where it often describes political or corporate figures being held to account. Unlike simple synonyms such as "warned", being "on notice" carries a weight of official documentation and impending consequence. Whether used in a professional email or a national headline, the phrase effectively communicates that the 'grace period' for a specific behavior has ended and a period of heightened scrutiny has begun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under warning

directs attention to the state of being monitored or cautioned

officially notified

emphasizes the formal communication aspect rather than the cautionary tone

put on alert

suggests a higher level of immediate readiness or vigilance

served notice

implies a more strictly legal or procedural delivery of a warning

warned in advance

highlights the timing of the caution given to the subject

flagged for review

more common in administrative or digital moderation contexts

cautioned

a simpler verb-based alternative with a similar functional weight

placed on standby

shifts the meaning toward waiting for action rather than accountability

forewarned

specifically denotes that information was provided before an event occurred

apprised of the situation

less about warning and more about being kept informed

FAQs

What does it mean to be put on notice?

To be put "on notice" means to be formally warned that your actions are being monitored and that consequences may follow if improvements are not made. It is similar to being "under warning".

Is on notice a professional phrase?

Yes, it is widely used in business and journalism. As noted by Ludwig, high-authority sources like The New York Times often use it to describe political or corporate accountability. You might also use "officially notified" for a more neutral tone.

What is the difference between on notice and warned?

While both imply a caution, "on notice" often suggests a more formal or public declaration of accountability. If you want a simpler term, you can use "warned", which is more common in general conversation.

Can I use on notice in a legal context?

Yes, it is frequently used to indicate that a party has been made aware of a legal claim or requirement. A more specific legal alternative might be "served notice".