stay frosty

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.

stay frosty (third-person singular simple present stays frosty, present participle staying frosty, simple past and past participle stayed frosty)

1. (military, 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
   • 2003, Adam Peck, Manja Sachet, Turkey Guide, page 259:

     Nothing bad will happen to you so long as you stay frosty.

   • 2007, Sean Michael Flynn, The Fighting 69th: From Ground Zero to Baghdad:

     He and a small group of other loyalists stayed frosty and refused to let the unit die.

   • 2009, Gregory H. Wahl, Charles A. Bobbitt, It Didn't Play in Peoria:

     In other words, be aware—stay frosty.

   • 2011, J. R. Brice, The Wrath of Mamba, page 267:

     We may have to move at a moments notice so stay frosty.

2. (slang) To keep one's cool.
   • 1991, Leigh Daniels, The Basque Swallow, page 197:

     Chill out, stay frosty, be cool.

   • 2002, Stephen J. Cannell, The Tin Collectors, page 9:

     Then Ray started toward Shane, swinging the metal stick in a lose arc in front of him. "Yeah? Who's gonna stop me, dickwad?" "Come on, let's stay frosty here, Ray. Let's . . . let's — "

   • 2016, Barbara Paul, Good King Sauerkraut:

     King's knees buckled and he sat down on the side of the bed, hard. So much for staying frosty.

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay,‎ frosty.
   • 1988, Country Report: China, North Korea, page 36:

     Nonetheless, the fact of sanctions ensured that Tokyo-Pyongyang relations would stay frosty.

   • 2015, Stephanie Stewart-Howard, Barbecue Lover's Memphis and Tennessee Styles:

     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.