ENGLISH
REFERENCE

keep one's stick on the ice

idiom
Meaning

To remain vigilant and ready for action.


Origin

disputed origin

In reference to the sport of ice hockey.

Examples
SIMPLE

Keep your stick on the ice and wait for the right moment.

CONTEXTUAL

The market is very unstable right now, so you should keep your stick on the ice until things settle down.

COMPLEX

Even as the negotiations stalled, the diplomat kept his stick on the ice, prepared to intervene the moment a window of opportunity appeared.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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