hit the deck
Dive for cover
Hit the deck means to drop to the ground quickly, usually to avoid danger like gunfire or an explosion: When the shooting started, everyone hit the deck.
The phrase comes from naval usage, where the deck is the floor of a ship.
It can also mean to get out of bed, especially with urgency: Hit the deck, soldiers—it's 0500.
Fall or release
- diveHeadfirst water entry
- flattenMake level or smooth
- crouchLow bent-knee stance
- proneInclined or face-down
take cover · get down · duck · fall flat · plunge · sprawl · shelter · belly flop
Discharge of weapons
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- incomingMoving toward arrival
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
crossfire · shrapnel · blast · artillery · mortar · grenade · attack · threat
Innate behavioral tendency
- reactAnswer a stimulus
- startleFrighten suddenly
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
evade · scramble · bolt · lunge · dive · spring · split-second · adrenaline
drop
Fall or release
prone · take cover · get down · duck · fall flat · plunge · sprawl · shelter · belly flop · collapse
gunfire
Discharge of weapons
ambush · crossfire · shrapnel · blast · artillery · mortar · grenade · attack · threat · shots fired
instinct
Innate behavioral tendency
dodge · evade · scramble · bolt · lunge · dive · spring · split-second · adrenaline · survival
ship
Seagoing transport vessel
sailor · vessel · bow · stern · seaman · maritime · aboard · navy · galley · porthole
barracks
Soldiers' residential building
battalion · infantry · command · formation · reveille · boots · bunk · attention · inspection · cadence
hit the deckstand up
Rise to feet
stand tall · rise · get up · straighten up · jump up
hit the deckstand down
Withdraw from readiness
at ease · stand easy · fall out · dismissed · all clear
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