at the ready

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

He was holding the dish with the shepherd’s pie, serving spoon at the ready, even though Coal had barely dug into what he had.

From Literature

But the Treasury Department has a tool at the ready, the roughly $200 billion Exchange Stabilization Fund, that it can use to buy and sell foreign currencies to influence exchange rates.

From The Wall Street Journal

As much as U.S. women’s national soccer team coach Emma Hayes would like to have her full roster at the ready, having several veteran players out presents an opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a lot of California families, the Kristiansens had a Go Bag at the ready if they needed to escape a wildfire or an earthquake.

From Literature

Aunt Kate was still at her post, revolver at the ready.

From Literature

Related Words

• accessible
• apt
• handy
• qualified
• ripe