on standby

Idioms

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.

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.

See Examples For:

on standby

That's enough to cover "always-on" electrical appliances such as fridges and devices left on standby.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

"Like everyone else, we're on standby, vehicles ready and a backpack packed. All we can do is wait," he said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

It’s why I always have my hot sauce on standby.

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026

The risk of dwindling electricity supplies has caused a spike in the price utilities pay power plant owners to operate on standby during times of extreme demand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 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

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