# line up one's ducks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/line-up-ones-ducks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To organize one's affairs so that one is ready to act efficiently.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.