general quarters

American

noun

(used with a singular verb)

a condition of readiness for combat on a warship, during which crew members remain at their battle stations and have guns and ammunition ready for immediate loading.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After midnight on my second voyage, I was asleep when the alarm for general quarters woke me.

From The Verge • Aug. 25, 2022

Bob Hill was laying in his rack when he heard general quarters sound, sending the crew to their battle stations.

From Fox News • Sep. 22, 2018

“At general quarters, you had to have your life vest. They had regular small boats picking you up.”

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2017

We were on the Liberty Ship SS John A. Treutlen and soon after I took on the role of being a loader on the gun, general quarters was sounded.

From Washington Times • Nov. 2, 2014

Pikemen will wear a cartridge-box whenever at general quarters or in action.

From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023