In the USA, getting ready for something important—like a school test, a sports game, or even a family trip—takes planning. People often use short, colorful phrases called idioms to talk about preparation. These idioms help describe the steps we take to get ready and the feelings we have before big events. They are fun to learn and easy to remember.
Idioms about preparation are used in many everyday situations. They can show how someone is getting ready, rushing, or even waiting for the right moment. Knowing these idioms helps you understand conversations better, especially when you’re talking to someone from the United States. In this article, we’ll explore 28 idioms that Americans use when talking about getting prepared.
Idioms About Preparation
1. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something
Example Sentence:
– Let’s get the ball rolling on our science project.
– The coach got the ball rolling with the first team meeting.
Other ways to say: Start, begin
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports, like soccer, where the game begins when the ball moves.
Usage: Used when beginning a task or event.
2. Gear up
Meaning: To get ready for something
Example Sentence:
– Students are gearing up for finals.
– We geared up for our trip to Yellowstone.
Other ways to say: Prepare, get set
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from putting on gear or equipment.
Usage: Common before events or tasks.
3. Batten down the hatches
Meaning: Get ready for trouble
Example Sentence:
– We battened down the hatches before the storm hit.
– She battened down the hatches before her big math test.
Other ways to say: Brace yourself, prepare for the worst
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing, where sailors close hatch doors before bad weather.
Usage: Used before facing a hard or serious situation.
4. In the pipeline
Meaning: Being planned or prepared
Example Sentence:
– A new school play is in the pipeline.
– They have a new app in the pipeline.
Other ways to say: In progress, coming soon
Fun Fact/Origin: From pipes used in factories, meaning something is on its way.
Usage: Used for projects being worked on.
5. Lay the groundwork
Meaning: To set up for something later
Example Sentence:
– The teacher laid the groundwork for the science fair.
– We’re laying the groundwork for a big family reunion.
Other ways to say: Prepare, plan
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from building foundations.
Usage: When setting up for something important.
6. On deck
Meaning: Ready to take action
Example Sentence:
– You’re on deck to present next.
– The backup singer is on deck if needed.
Other ways to say: Next in line, ready
Fun Fact/Origin: From baseball, where the next batter stands on deck.
Usage: Used when someone is next to do something.
7. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start fast and prepared
Example Sentence:
– She hit the ground running on the first day of school.
– The team hit the ground running at practice.
Other ways to say: Jump right in, get going
Fun Fact/Origin: From soldiers jumping off planes or trucks ready to go.
Usage: Used when starting something full of energy.
8. Get your ducks in a row
Meaning: To organize things
Example Sentence:
– I need to get my ducks in a row before the trip.
– She got her ducks in a row before starting her art project.
Other ways to say: Get organized, line things up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how ducks line up behind their mom.
Usage: Used before beginning something.
9. Get set
Meaning: Be ready to go
Example Sentence:
– Runners, get set!
– We got set for the family picnic early.
Other ways to say: Be ready, prepare
Fun Fact/Origin: From sports races: “Ready, set, go!”
Usage: Used before something begins.
10. Ahead of the game
Meaning: Being early or prepared
Example Sentence:
– She studied early and is ahead of the game.
– We packed last night, so we’re ahead of the game.
Other ways to say: Prepared, in a good spot
Fun Fact/Origin: From sports, meaning your team is winning
Usage: When someone is ready before others.
11. Sharpen your skills
Meaning: Practice to get better
Example Sentence:
– He sharpened his skills before the spelling bee.
– I’m sharpening my skills for the music recital.
Other ways to say: Improve, practice
Fun Fact/Origin: From sharpening tools to work better.
Usage: Used when getting better through practice.
12. Line up your plans
Meaning: Arrange or organize your schedule
Example Sentence:
– We lined up our plans for the school play.
– She lined up her plans for summer break.
Other ways to say: Arrange, organize
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from lining up items to see them clearly.
Usage: Used before starting big tasks or events.
13. Put your house in order
Meaning: Fix problems or get ready
Example Sentence:
– He put his house in order before applying for college.
– We put our house in order before guests came.
Other ways to say: Clean up, prepare
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to mean organizing your affairs or actual home.
Usage: Often used before important changes.
14. Make preparations
Meaning: Get things ready
Example Sentence:
– We made preparations for the birthday party.
– They’re making preparations for the school fair.
Other ways to say: Plan, get ready
Fun Fact/Origin: A basic phrase used often in American events and schedules.
Usage: Used before events or important moments.
15. Set the stage
Meaning: Prepare for something to happen
Example Sentence:
– The teacher set the stage for a fun learning day.
– Cleaning the house set the stage for the party.
Other ways to say: Prepare, lead up to
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater before a show begins.
Usage: Used before action or a big event.
16. Pack up
Meaning: Gather things to get ready to go
Example Sentence:
– We packed up for the camping trip.
– She packed up her backpack for school.
Other ways to say: Gather things, get ready to leave
Fun Fact/Origin: A common phrase in American homes, especially before travel.
Usage: Used when getting ready to leave.
17. Be primed and ready
Meaning: Fully prepared
Example Sentence:
– The players were primed and ready for the game.
– She was primed and ready for her solo.
Other ways to say: All set, fully ready
Fun Fact/Origin: “Primed” means prepped or loaded, like a tool or machine.
Usage: Used when everything is ready to go.
18. Prep work
Meaning: The things you do to get ready
Example Sentence:
– The prep work helped us build the model fast.
– Good prep work makes cooking easier.
Other ways to say: Setup, preparation
Fun Fact/Origin: “Prep” is short for “preparation.”
Usage: Common before tasks that need steps.
19. Get ready to roll
Meaning: Be ready to go
Example Sentence:
– We’re packed and ready to roll to the beach.
– The team was ready to roll when the coach arrived.
Other ways to say: All set, ready to leave
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from vehicles or machines starting to move.
Usage: Used when someone is ready to begin.
20. Ready and waiting
Meaning: Fully prepared and standing by
Example Sentence:
– The lifeguards were ready and waiting.
– Her lunch was ready and waiting in the fridge.
Other ways to say: Prepared, set to go
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple phrase used daily in homes and schools
Usage: Often said before someone takes action.
21. Suit up
Meaning: Put on the right gear or clothes
Example Sentence:
– The firefighters suited up fast.
– He suited up for the big game.
Other ways to say: Dress up, get your gear
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports and jobs needing special clothes.
Usage: Used before an activity needing gear.
22. Put your thinking cap on
Meaning: Get ready to think hard
Example Sentence:
– Put your thinking cap on for this riddle.
– He put his thinking cap on during math class.
Other ways to say: Focus, use your brain
Fun Fact/Origin: A playful way teachers ask students to think.
Usage: Common in classrooms across the USA.
23. Be on standby
Meaning: Be ready to help or act
Example Sentence:
– Nurses are on standby at the event.
– Dad is on standby to drive us.
Other ways to say: Be ready, be available
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from military or emergency teams waiting to be called.
Usage: Used when people are prepared but waiting.
24. Warm up
Meaning: Get ready by doing small steps first
Example Sentence:
– We warmed up before gym class.
– The singers warmed up their voices.
Other ways to say: Get loose, get ready
Fun Fact/Origin: Sports and music groups do this to avoid mistakes.
Usage: Used before physical or skill-based tasks.
25. Get things in place
Meaning: Set everything up before starting
Example Sentence:
– We got things in place before painting.
– She got everything in place for the science demo.
Other ways to say: Arrange, organize
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple phrase used before any task needing setup.
Usage: Common in home, school, and work.
26. Run through it
Meaning: Practice or check it quickly
Example Sentence:
– Let’s run through our lines before the play.
– She ran through her notes one last time.
Other ways to say: Review, rehearse
Fun Fact/Origin: From practicing before real events.
Usage: Used in school, sports, and shows.
27. Set up shop
Meaning: Prepare a place to work or sell
Example Sentence:
– The lemonade stand set up shop on the corner.
– They set up shop at the school fair.
Other ways to say: Open, prepare to sell
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from real shops opening for the day.
Usage: Used for business, events, or small sales.
28. Test the waters
Meaning: Try something small to see if it works
Example Sentence:
– She tested the waters with a small speech.
– We tested the waters with one game before joining the league.
Other ways to say: Try it out, give it a go
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from checking water before diving in.
Usage: Used before trying something new.
Quiz: Idioms About Preparation
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning of each idiom. Only one answer is correct. Think about what each idiom means when someone in the USA uses it.
Question Key
1. What does “get the ball rolling” mean?
A) Stop doing something
B) Start something
C) Clean up a mess
2. If someone says “batten down the hatches,” what are they doing?
A) Fixing their house
B) Taking a nap
C) Getting ready for a hard time
3. “Hit the ground running” means:
A) Start with full energy
B) Fall while running
C) Go to sleep early
4. What does “get your ducks in a row” mean?
A) Find baby ducks
B) Be organized
C) Play outside
5. If you are “on deck,” you are:
A) Playing on the porch
B) Ready to go next
C) Sitting down to eat
6. “Sharpen your skills” means:
A) Use a pencil sharpener
B) Practice to get better
C) Cut paper with scissors
7. What does “pack up” mean?
A) Go shopping
B) Clean a room
C) Get things ready to leave
8. When you “put your thinking cap on,” you are:
A) Wearing a real hat
B) Getting ready to think hard
C) Going outside in the cold
9. If something is “in the pipeline,” it is:
A) Already finished
B) Being planned or made
C) Lost underground
10. “Test the waters” means to:
A) Check if the pool is warm
B) Try something a little bit
C) Drink lots of water
Answer Key
- B – Start something
- C – Getting ready for a hard time
- A – Start with full energy
- B – Be organized
- B – Ready to go next
- B – Practice to get better
- C – Get things ready to leave
- B – Getting ready to think hard
- B – Being planned or made
- B – Try something a little bit
Wrapping Up
Idioms about preparation help Americans explain how they get ready for things. These phrases are short, but they say a lot. From schoolwork to sports, people across the USA use them every day.
Now that you know 28 common idioms, you’ll understand more when you hear them. You can even use them when you talk or write. They make your English sound more natural and fun.
