line up one's ducks
To organize one's affairs so that one is ready to act efficiently.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to line up my ducks before I start the project.”
“He lines up his ducks by preparing his clothes the night before work.”
“We always line up our ducks before we apply for a bank loan.”
“She spent the entire weekend lining up her ducks so the presentation would go perfectly on Monday morning.”
“The family spent the morning lining up their ducks by packing the car and checking the map before the long road trip began.”
“You should line up your ducks by gathering all the necessary tax documents before you meet with the accountant next week.”
“Before launching the ambitious international expansion, the executive insisted that the team line up their ducks to ensure every logistical detail was perfectly prepared.”
The origin is unknown, though lexicographers suggest a probable reference to the mechanical targets in a shooting gallery. The phrase describes the requirement that the duck-shaped targets be reset into a stationary, orderly row before a fresh attempt at sport may commence.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 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”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026