get (one's) ducks in a row
To take action to become well-organized, prepared, or up-to-date. We need to get our ducks in a row to ensure that there are no problems at home while we're gone on our trip. Make sure Finance gets their ducks in a row before the audit. I know I need to get my ducks in a row before I make these accusations. No one will take me seriously without concrete evidence.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get one's ducks in a row
Fig. to get one's affairs in order or organized. Jane is organized. She really gets all her ducks in a row right away. You can't hope to go into a company and sell something until you get your ducks in a row.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get one's ducks in a row
Also,
have one's ducks in a row. Complete one's preparations, become efficient and well organized, as in
I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before I go to Europe. This synonym for
get one's act together probably alludes to lining up target ducks in a shooting gallery. [
Slang; 1970s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.