standbys
Ready if needed
Standbys are people or things kept ready for use when needed.
A standby is a reliable backup—someone you can count on, or a substitute ready to step in: Coffee and aspirin are my morning standbys.
In travel, standby refers to waiting for an available seat on a flight: We flew standby and barely made it.
Duplicate files or substitutes
- fallbacksSecondary options if preferred fails
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- replacementsItems taking others' places
- reservesResources held back
spares · plan B · contingencies · stand-ins · understudies · deputies · surrogates · proxies
Principal supporting elements
- staplesSmall metal paper-binders
- reliablesConsistently trustworthy ones
- go-tosReliable default choices
- constantsUnchanging fixed values
tried-and-true · classics · favorites · workhorses · anchors · pillars · fixtures · regulars
Warning or watchfulness
- on-callAvailable when summoned
- preparednessState of being equipped
- availabilityState of being obtainable
- activationSetting into operation
deployment · mobilization · idle · vigilance · anticipation · poised · queued
backups
Duplicate files or substitutes
- fallbacksSecondary options if preferred fails
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- replacementsItems taking others' places
reserves · spares · plan B · contingencies · stand-ins · understudies · deputies · surrogates · proxies · pinch-hitters
mainstays
Principal supporting elements
- staplesSmall metal paper-binders
- reliablesConsistently trustworthy ones
- go-tosReliable default choices
constants · tried-and-true · classics · favorites · workhorses · anchors · pillars · fixtures · regulars · perennials
alert
Warning or watchfulness
- on-callAvailable when summoned
- preparednessState of being equipped
- availabilityState of being obtainable
activation · deployment · mobilization · idle · vigilance · anticipation · poised · queued
- substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in
- go-tosfavorites, staples, mainstays, regulars, first choices
- regularsregulars, habitues, frequenters, usuals, familiar faces
- reliablesmainstays, staples, stalwarts, dependables, reliables
standbysmains
Utility distribution infrastructure
primaries · first choices · principals · headliners · starters
standbysnovelties
Unfamiliar or unusual items
innovations · experiments · unknowns · wildcards · newcomers
- standby powerReserve electrical capacity
- on standbyPrepared for immediate deployment
- standby modeLow-power waiting state
- standby ticketsUnsold seats, sold late
- standby listQueue for unfilled spots
- standby lineQueue for unclaimed spots