at the ready

1. Available for immediate use, as in Umbrellas at the ready, we were prepared to brave the storm. This idiom was originally a military term in which the ready denoted the position of a firearm prepared to be raised and aimed or fired. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Few walking by these troops, even the most law abiding, can fail to feel the power of those weapons at the ready.

From Los Angeles Times

If there’s one thing that will make you feel smug in the best possible way, it’s having sauce cubes at the ready.

From Salon

The trucks were flanked by troops, light machine guns at the ready.

From BBC

A new Assembly bill that went into effect Tuesday requires any establishment in the state where alcohol is sold for on-site consumption to have lids at the ready upon customer request.

From Los Angeles Times

Outfits picked, backpack packed, tickets at the ready - like anyone else heading for Glastonbury this week, Lucy Smith-Butler is gearing up for one of the biggest events in the festival calendar.

From BBC

Related Words

• accessible 
• apt 
• handy 
• qualified 
• ripe