subs. (common).—See quots. TO BE UP (or FLY) TO A MOVE OR TWO (or EVERY MOVE ON THE BOARD) = to be wide-awake.
1819. J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, s.v. MOVE, any action or operation in life; the secret spring by which any project is conducted, as, There is a MOVE in that business which you are not down to. To be FLASH TO EVERY MOVE UPON THE BOARD, is to have a general knowledge of the world, and all its numerous deceptions.
1853. WHYTE-MELVILLE, Digby Grand, xiii. The champion glared … putting in play all the different manœuvres of the King, which the initiated call MOVES.
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 16 Jan. He said he had as good as given me a fortune, for he had made me a tip-top player, put me UP TO EVERY MOVE UPON THE BOARD, and the next time I played I should sweep it clean.
