Ready or Not

Counting has ended

Ready or not is a phrase announcing that something is about to happen regardless of preparation.

It comes from hide-and-seek, where the seeker calls Ready or not, here I come! to signal the search is beginning whether hiders are concealed or not.

The phrase extends to any imminent event that won't wait: Ready or not, the baby is coming.

Related

seek · waiting · braced · brace yourself · countdown · hide and seek · anticipation · game · chase · hiding · children · childhood game · playground · suspense · poised · alert · willing · eager

Categories
Opposites
immediacy/inevitability

Ready or Nottake your time

Proceed without urgency

no rush · not yet · hold on

consent/consideration

Ready or Notwith your permission

Polite request for approval

if and when · by your leave · your call

certainty of outcome

Ready or Notit depends

Response indicating uncertainty

we'll see

Family

ready, not, readiness, readily, readier, readiest, unready

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G