Advertisement

Advertisement

locked and loaded

[ lokt uhn loh-did ]

adjective

  1. (of a firearm) loaded with ammunition and prepared for firing:

    They checked their equipment and found the rifles locked and loaded.

  2. ready for action:

    After so much practice, her throwing arm was locked and loaded for the match.



Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of locked and loaded1

First recorded in 1790–1800 as lock and load, used in the U.S. Army's 23-5 Basic Field manual: U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 (1940), and popularized by John Wayne in the film Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Lockeanlocked bowels