on standby
Prepared but waiting
On standby describes a state of readiness to act when needed.
Someone on standby waits to be called into service: Three nurses are on standby in case the ER gets busy.
In travel, standby passengers wait for open seats on overbooked flights.
Electronic devices on standby remain powered but inactive, ready to respond instantly: Leave the TV on standby.
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- waiting roomSpace for anticipating service
- readySuitable for use now
- at the readyAvailable for immediate use
- alertWarning or watchfulness
ready to go · backup · backup plan · in reserve · idle · reserve · poised · hold · pause · emergency · power outage · available · prepared · auxiliary · dormant · primed · vigilant · call
- availabilityavailable, unavailable, sold out, in stock, out of stock
- Status phrasesat home, in town, on site, in transit, on location
- readiness levelsready, prepared, unprepared, unready, ill-prepared
- Sitting Outbenched, sidelined, on the bench, on the sidelines, sitting idle
- battle-readyarmed, equipped, trained, prepared, mobilized
on standbyactive
In operation now
in use · engaged · in action · operational · running
on standbyconfirmed
Established as accurate
guaranteed · booked · reserved · scheduled · secured
on standbyunavailable
Cannot be accessed
offline · decommissioned · out of service · retired · shut down
stand, standby, stands, standing, stood, bystander, bystanders, standings, understand