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

Some 250 snowploughs were on standby at the two airports, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told a press conference, adding there would likely be "cancellations and some delays".

From Barron's

An AFP photographer in Kfar Hatta, one of the targeted villages in south Lebanon, saw dozens of families flee the village after the warning was issued, amid drone activity in the area, adding that ambulances and fire trucks were on standby.

From Barron's

Other arrivals into Athens were placed on standby, while flights in and out of other Greek airports have also been affected.

From BBC

The UK Foreign Office said its "thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy" and consular staff were on standby to provide support to any British nationals affected.

From BBC

Consular staff are on standby to support any British nationals affected, a Foreign Office statement said.

From BBC