stand at attention
Brace up, soldier
Stand at attention is a military posture in which a person stands rigidly upright with heels together, arms straight at the sides, and eyes facing forward.
This formal stance signals readiness and respect, typically assumed when a superior officer approaches or during ceremonies.
The phrase extends to civilian contexts where someone adopts an alert, respectful posture: The students stood at attention when the principal entered.
Gestural sign of honor
- formationCreation or arrangement
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- drillHole-boring device
ranks · regiment · cadets · officer · sergeant · commanding officer · reveille · colors
Vertical or morally sound
shoulders back · chin up · chest out · motionless · stillness · bearing · brace · feet together
Methodical arrangement or request
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- regimentationStrict systematic control
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
uniformity · control · protocol · compliance · adherence · instruction · obedience · regulation
Military tribute formation
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- pledgeBinding promise given
- tributeOffering of respect
procession · dignitary · wreath laying · commemoration · solemnity · decorum · formality · reverence
State of being prepared
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- focusConcentrated attention point
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
preparedness · responsiveness · anticipation · concentration · on guard · poised · primed
salute
Gestural sign of honor
- formationCreation or arrangement
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- paradeCeremonial public procession
drill · ranks · regiment · cadets · officer · sergeant · commanding officer · reveille · colors · flag ceremony
upright
Vertical or morally sound
straight · shoulders back · chin up · chest out · motionless · stillness · bearing · brace · feet together · head high
order
Methodical arrangement or request
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- regimentationStrict systematic control
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
precision · uniformity · control · protocol · compliance · adherence · instruction · obedience · regulation · structure
honor guard
Military tribute formation
tribute · procession · dignitary · wreath laying · commemoration · solemnity · decorum · formality · reverence · respect
readiness
State of being prepared
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- focusConcentrated attention point
watchfulness · preparedness · responsiveness · anticipation · concentration · on guard · poised · primed
stand at attentionstand at ease
Parade ground relaxation order
at ease · stand easy · fall out · stand down · parade rest
stand, attention, stands, standing, attentive, attentively, attentiveness, inattention, inattentive