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

See Examples For:

on standby

"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

More than 20,000 troops, along with machinery, equipment and vehicles, were on standby to respond to emergencies.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

There could be a fifth change from the first Test with Somerset's James Rew, who would be a third debutant in the XI, on standby to replace wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026

Six thousand militiamen were put on standby in nearby armories.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield