on deck
Idioms-
Available, ready for action, as in We had ten kids on deck to clean up after the dance . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]
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In baseball, scheduled to bat next, waiting near home plate to bat, as in Joe was on deck next . [1860s] Both usages allude to crew members being on the deck of a ship, in readiness to perform their duties.
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.
“With many upcoming releases from some of the most beloved franchises in history,” Lessard says that box office revenue could outperform expectations given the quality film slate on deck.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Counting her out — or anyone else who has a weird semi-flop on deck after a great film — would be a mistake.
From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026
Earnings from two major software giants are also on deck this week.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
All hands on deck for the freewheeling, free-scoring French, the ultimate test in northern hemisphere rugby - if they can manage to get out of their tiny dressing room, that is.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
On the morning of the 13th, sensors in the engine room had registered radiation levels on deck at more than twice normal.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
