on deck

on deck — idiom

1. In baseball, describes the player whose turn to hit comes right after the curren

1.慣用語B1
釋義

In baseball, describes the player whose turn to hit comes right after the current batter. The player waits in a special area beside the dugout called the on-deck circle.

例句

With two outs in the ninth inning, Noa stood on deck, gripping his bat tightly.

baseball context: on deck as the next batter

The coach told Elena to start warming up because she was on deck.

同義詞
  • next up

    Used in sports broadcasts outside baseball; less fixed in meaning

  • in the hole

    Baseball-specific; describes the batter who is two turns away

反義詞
  • at bat

    Describes the player currently hitting, not waiting

文法句型

be on deck

用法筆記

Only used in American English baseball contexts. The on-deck circle is a physical area near home plate where the next batter warms up. Frequently used with the verb 'be' (is on deck / was on deck).

常見錯誤

❌The batter on deck is currently hitting the ball.
✅The batter at bat is currently hitting the ball.
💡On deck means waiting for a turn, not currently batting.
❌Marco called the player on deck to first base.
✅Marco called the player on deck to the on-deck circle.
💡The phrase 'on deck' is not used as a command directing someone to first base, but rather to the waiting area.

2. Fully prepared and waiting to begin a task, handle a situation, or respond as so

2.慣用語B2
釋義

Fully prepared and waiting to begin a task, handle a situation, or respond as soon as needed, especially in work, emergency, or team settings.

例句

The medical team was on deck within minutes of the emergency call.

Charlotte told her manager she was on deck for the weekend shift if needed.

grammar pattern: be on deck for [task/shift/role]

同義詞
  • ready

    More general; lacks the idiomatic sense of waiting to be called upon

  • on standby

    Similar, but suggests a more passive waiting period

  • available

    Formal; does not convey the same sense of active readiness

反義詞

文法句型

be on deck

be on deck for [task/role]

用法筆記

Common in workplace, emergency-response, and military contexts. Often carries a sense of active readiness rather than passive waiting. Unlike 'next in line', this sense does not imply a fixed sequence — just availability to act.

常見錯誤

❌I am on deck to visit my grandmother tomorrow.
✅I am on deck for the night shift tomorrow.
💡On deck implies being ready for a duty or task, not a casual social plan.
❌The documents are on deck on the shelf.
✅The documents are ready on the shelf.
💡On deck describes a person's availability for action, not an object's location.

3. Scheduled to follow the current person, event, or item in a planned order, such

3.慣用語B2
釋義

Scheduled to follow the current person, event, or item in a planned order, such as speakers at a meeting, performers at a show, or tasks in a list.

例句

After the director finishes her speech, the sales manager is on deck to talk.

grammar pattern: [person] is on deck to [verb]

Once the current laptop is fixed, your computer is on deck for the same repair.

同義詞
  • next

    Simpler and more common; less idiomatic and less vivid

  • up next

    Common in entertainment and media contexts

  • next in line

    More formal; used for people waiting in a queue

反義詞
  • previous

    The one that came before

  • last

    The final one in the sequence

文法句型

be on deck

[role/person] on deck to [verb]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (READY FOR DUTY): this sense emphasizes position in a fixed sequence or queue, while sense 2 emphasizes general availability. Often interchangeable with 'next' or 'up next' in informal speech.

常見錯誤

❌This car is on deck behind the truck in the parking lot.
✅This car is on deck for repairs after the truck.
💡On deck implies a planned sequence of events, not just physical position.
❌The pizza is on deck for dinner tonight.
✅The pizza is what we are having for dinner tonight.
💡On deck sounds unnatural for everyday plans that are not part of a formal schedule.