on standby

Idioms  

1. Ready and waiting, as in We've got three more painters on standby. This expression originated in the navy in the 1940s, where it referred to someone being ready to come on duty as soon as required. From about 1960 it began to be widely used in aviation for a passenger waiting to take the first available seat on a full flight.

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Example Sentences

The Americans have more than four thousand US Marines on ships heading to the Gulf, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne on standby and are discussing further reinforcements.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

President Lai Ching-te was on standby in Taipei, taking calls at extreme hours due to the different time zones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Police with riot helmets could be seen on standby near the demonstration, where some protesters marched waving Palestinian flags.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

As locals watched a darkening sky, police patrolled streets empty of all but stray cats, while emergency services stood on standby on the edge of the red zone.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

The “red dots,” specially designated officers on standby for an emergency, would then run there to offer aid.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover