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Glite Dictionary
to have one's ducks in a row

to have one's ducks in a row

1 7.2
To be ready and organized before starting something
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : estar bien organizado

Examples

  • So my position is that if one is going to go on the record stating "Peak is now," you better have your ducks in a row.

    Blog text (23)

  • You've got to have your ducks in a row if we're gonna nail Frank Mantajano.

    Fled (1996)

  • But when you lay claim to the title of the world's greenest, most energy-efficient commercial building before the doors even open, you'd better have your ducks in a row.

    Blog text (21)

  • If you don't have your ducks in a row for your regular communications calendar, you will most likely not be able to rise to the challenge and cut through the craziness of a crisis or unplanned media blitz, and thus will miss out on a possibly once-in-a-lifetime branding, list growth, and fundraising opportunity... with no one to blame but yourself.

    Blog text (1)

  • Before starting the project, it is important to have your ducks in a row to avoid any confusion.

  • If you want to succeed in this competition, you need to have your ducks in a row by the deadline.

  • She realized she wouldn't win the proposal if she didn't have her ducks in a row during the presentation.

Synonyms

ready to roll
vsto have one's ducks in a row
  • Informal
29 4.3

Prepared to begin an activity such as a game or meeting

is being well organized and ready before starting
to have your act together
vsto have one's ducks in a row
  • Informal
1 6.3

To be organized, prepared, and able to manage tasks and problems

emphasizes being ready for a specific start rather than ongoing efficiency
to line up one's ducks
vsto have one's ducks in a row
  • Informal
8.4

Make things ready in the right order before you need them

focuses on overall organization and readiness rather than arranging

Antonyms

unprepared
69 2.8

Not ready for something because the things you need or a plan are missing

disorganized
  • US
38 3.1

Not in a clear order or plan

How Prepared

to have one's ducks in a row
  • Informal
1 7.2
to ready
41 1.0

Surface Forms

have one's ducks in a row infinitive
had one's ducks in a row past
had one's ducks in a row past participle
having one's ducks in a row present participle
has one's ducks in a row third person singular

Morphology

have + one's + ducks + in + a + row

The phrase evokes the literal image of items (ducks) arranged 'in a row' and 'have one's' signals possession/preparation, so a learner who knows the words can often infer a sense of being orderly or prepared. However, it is a conventionalized metaphor with cultural imagery and pragmatic nuance (readiness, organization) that may not be fully predictable for all B1 learners without prior exposure.

Etymology

Have one's ducks in a row may come from a simple picture: a mother duck walking with her little ducks in a straight row. Because the birds look neat and ready, the saying now means being 'well organized' or 'fully prepared'.