on deck

nautical baseball general

The phrase 'on deck' originates from nautical terminology and has since found usage in baseball and general contexts to mean being ready or next in line.

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Definition

B2Nautical

(technical, historical)Located on the main surface of a ship.

Example

The captain is on deck, overseeing the crew's activities.

B2Baseball

(sports)The next player scheduled to bat.

Example

The player on deck is warming up for his turn at bat.

B2General

(informal)Ready or prepared to take action or participate.

Example

I've got everything on deck for the meeting tomorrow.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on deck":

on the deck upper deck lower deck between decks up to bat all hands on deck flight deck at bat on the stocks on the bench cold deck in the offing on board come to bat on base on the table on side clear the decks on course on the come on ice roof deck on the pad