ready1 adjectiveready2 verbready3 nounready4 adverb
readyread‧y1 /ˈredi/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective 
WORD ORIGINready1
Origin:
1100-1200 Old English ræde ‘prepared’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Shall we go then?" "Yes, ready when you are."
- a ready answer
- Are you ready? The taxi's here.
- I'm sorry, your car isn't ready yet, sir.
- I don't feel that I'm ready for the test yet.
- In a year's time, the wine will be ready to drink.
- Is dinner ready yet?
- Is everything ready for the party?
- It took several months to get the boat ready for the voyage.
- It was soon time for the actors to get ready for the evening performance.
- Lunch is ready!
- My sister always spends hours getting ready to go out.
- On the Internet, you have ready access to huge amounts of information.
- That's settled then. I'll go and get ready.
- The wedding guests were all ready and waiting long before the bride arrived.
- Wait a minute. I'm not ready yet.
- When everyone is ready, I'll give the signal to start.
- When the pasta's ready, add the sauce.
- Your dry cleaning will be ready on Thursday.
- Your suit will be ready to pick up on Wednesday.
- A well organised right-hander, he, too, seems ready to advance to higher things.
- Bridge that gap with over-wintering onion sets, ready to eat from May to July.
- City officials said the master plan should be ready in December in time for a public hearing.
- Hudspeth is ready to talk about lawyers in general.
- I was getting the table ready for the captain's breakfast.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
- The pans scrubbed, ready for another action-packed day.
- There was need for haste, but all was ready.
THESAURUS
[not before noun] having done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for something: · Are you ready? The taxi’s here.· I don’t feel that I’m ready for the test yet.
[not before noun] ready to deal with a situation, because you are expecting it or have made careful preparations: · The police were prepared for trouble.· The team looked well-prepared for the game.
to be ready to start doing something that you have planned to do, and be just about to do it: · We were all set for a barbecue when it started to rain.
American English informal be ready to start doing something after completing all the necessary preparations: · We just need to get you a pair of skis and you’re good to go.
ripe fruit are soft, sweet, and ready to eat: · Don’t pick the apples until they’re really ripe.· a delicious ripe plum
if the arrangements or the equipment for doing something are in place, they are ready to start being used: · The television cameras were in place for the wedding.· All the arrangements are in place for a new constitution and democratic elections.
if people are standing by, they are ready to take action and help if they are needed – used especially about medical teams, police, the army etc: · Officers in full riot gear were standing by outside the police station.· Several ambulances were standing by.
Longman Language Activatorwhen you are ready to do something if you are ready for something, you have done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for it: · Are you ready? The taxi's here.· When everyone is ready, I'll give the signal to start.ready for: · I don't feel that I'm ready for the test yet.ready to do something: · Everything is packed and we're ready to leave.get ready (=prepare yourself to do something): · That's settled then. I'll go and get ready.· My sister always spends hours getting ready to go out.· It was soon time for the actors to get ready for the evening performance.ready and waiting: · The wedding guests were all ready and waiting long before the bride arrived.ready when you are (=I am ready to do something as soon as you are): · "Shall we go then?" "Yes, ready when you are."
ready to deal with a situation, because you were expecting it or because you have made careful preparations: prepared for: · The police were prepared for trouble.· I was not prepared for all the questions they asked.well prepared: · The team was well prepared and focussed on the issues.
to be ready and eager to start doing something: · On Christmas Day, the kids are always up and ready to go at 6 o'clock.· If everyone's ready to go, let's get started.
to be ready to start doing something that you have planned to do and want to do: · Dad got on his bike. "Are you all set?" he called.be all set for: · The team are all set for another comfortable victory.be all set to do something: · We were all set to start the barbecue when it started to rain.
if an organization or group of people are geared up for something that is going to happen, they have made careful plans so that they can deal with it as soon as it happens: be geared up for: · There are clear signs that the governor is geared up for a second attempt at the White House.be geared up to do something: · Companies that survive are the ones that are geared up to meet the demands of the future.get geared up: · The airport was getting geared up to deal with a heavier schedule of flights.
if you do something in readiness for something that you expect will happen, you do it so that you will be ready: · As the conflict grew worse, troops waited in readiness at the borders.in readiness for: · A new stage and seating area has been built in readiness for tonight's sell-out performance.
spoken used to tell someone who is impatient for you to do something that you will not do it until your are ready: · Dad says he'll come when he's good and ready.· Leave me alone! I'll tell her when I'm good and ready.
American spoken to have completed all the necessary preparations and be ready to start doing something: · We just need to get you a pair of skis and you're good to go.· "Do you have all the hiking gear?" "Yeah, I'm good to go."
to be in a suitable condition to be ready for something, especially a positive change: · Economists regard the region as being ripe for development.· After the divorce I was thoroughly fed up and ripe for a new start, so I agreed to take the job.
ready to be used or eaten if something is ready , you can use it or eat it immediately: · Lunch is ready!· When the pasta's ready, add the sauce.· I'm sorry, your car isn't ready yet, sir.ready to eat/collect/use etc: · Your suit will be ready to pick up on Wednesday.· In a year's time, the wine will be ready to drink.· I tend to buy a lot of meals that are ready to eat (=they have already been cooked).ready for: · Is everything ready for the party?get something ready (=prepare it): · It took several months to get the boat ready for the voyage.
if equipment, a system, a rule, or a plan is in place , it is ready to start being used: · A new PA system should be in place in the next three to six months.· When everything is in place, the building work begins, even if it means running two massive projects at the same time.· The uncertain economy is forcing us to accelerate cost-cutting plans that are already in place.
ripe fruit is soft, sweet, and ready to eat: · Don't pick the apples until they're really ripe.· Is this melon ripe enough to eat?
if something is at the ready , it is nearby or in your hands, so that you can use it immediately if something happens and you need it: · Several reporters were outside, microphones at the ready.have/keep something at the ready: · I kept my camera at the ready in case the bird reappeared.with something at the ready: · Two police officers advanced, with guns at the ready.
written ready to be used when something that you are expecting happens: · The table was carefully laid in readiness.in readiness for: · Everything was laid out on the bed, in readiness for the new baby.
ready to take action if it is needed to be ready to take action or provide something when it is needed: · Officers in full riot gear were standing by outside the police station.· A plane was standing by to take the hostages from the airport.
if a group of people, especially soldiers or police are on standby , they are waiting, ready to go somewhere if they are needed when something happens that is expected to happen soon: · Extra troops have been brought in, and riot police are on standby.· Bomb squads are on 24-hour standby because of the threats.be on standby to do something: · RAF medical crews are on standby to fly out to the war zone.
if someone such as a doctor or engineer is on call , they are ready to give advice on the phone or go and help where they are needed, as part of their job: · As a doctor, you will be on call regularly at weekends.· There are four physiotherapists on call at the sports injury clinic.
if soldiers, police officers etc are on full alert , they are completely ready to deal with a dangerous situation: · All ships were on full alert.put/place something on full alert: · By 7 pm the President had placed American military forces on full alert.be on full alert for: · The police were on full alert for further riots.
when you are not ready to do something if you are not ready for something, you have not done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for it: · Wait a minute! I'm not ready yet.not ready for: · The coaches felt Stark wasn't ready for major league baseball yet.not ready to do something: · I felt that I wasn't ready to make a final decision.
written not ready to deal with something because you were not expecting it, and have not thought about it or made plans: unprepared for: · Mexico was unprepared for war.· When I told her the news, I was totally unprepared for her reaction.unprepared to do something: · The study showed that 50% of the students were unprepared for work or college.
not ready to eat or use if something is not ready , you cannot use it or eat it immediately: · I'm afraid dinner's not ready yet.· The blackberries won't be ready for another week or two.not ready for: · The zero-emission care is not ready for mass production.not ready to eat/drink/use etc: · The paint's not ready to use when you buy it. You have to mix it with water.
fruit that is unripe is not soft, sweet, or ready to eat: · Don't use unripe apples for making cider.· The cherries on the tree were still unripe.
to do something or to happen when someone is not ready informal if you are caught napping by something that happens, you are not expecting it and are not ready to deal with it, although you should expect it and be ready for it: · Stock traders who ignore these signs are in danger of being caught napping when a recession hits.be caught napping by: · Nowadays, no company can afford to be caught napping by a technological development.
to say or do something when someone is not expecting it so that they cannot deal with it as well as they would like to: · "Are you married?" Vick asked, catching her off guard.· The Prime Minister admitted to being caught off guard by news of the attack.
informal to arrive or to do something when someone is not ready, and make them feel stupid or embarrassed: · The city got caught with its financial pants down, and the scandal has led to 12 high-level officials losing their jobs.
British informal to do something, or to happen, when someone is not expecting it and is not ready to deal with it: · The dramatic fall in share prices caught even the experts on the hop.· Many politicians have been caught on the hop by a good interviewer.
informal to try to do something even though you are not ready, especially when you have to pretend you know more about something that you do: · If you are asked a question that you're not ready for, it's better to say "I hadn't considered that" than to wing it and get it wrong.· We have to wing it in the first game, but we'll be more prepared for the next one.
to prepare for something that will happen in the future to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future, so that you will be ready when it happens: · I've been so busy that I've had no time to prepare.prepare for: · He only had a few hours to prepare for the interview.· People on the island are preparing for another storm.prepare to do something: · The company is preparing to expand its European network.
to do all the things you need to do to prepare for a special occasion or event: · We're looking forward to the trip, but there's so much to do to get ready.get ready for: · We've spent the last few days getting ready for Christmas.get ready to do something: · It seems the whole country is getting ready to welcome the visiting president.
to do all the things you must do in order to prepare for an important event: · We set a date of January 8 and began to make preparations.make preparations for: · We started to make preparations for the wedding about a year ago.make your preparations: · I made my preparations with great care.
if you do something in preparation for a planned event, you do something to make it possible or more likely to be successful: · Japan National Railways was split up in preparation for sale to private investors.· In preparation for Passover, all "unclean" items are removed from the house.
if a company or organization gears up to do something important or difficult, they prepare to do it by making changes, buying things that will be needed etc: gear up to do something: · Retailers are already gearing up to meet the Christmas rush.gear up for: · The company will shortly be gearing up for a major expansion.
also do the spadework British to do the work that has to be done before something else can happen: · All the necessary groundwork for the advertising campaign has already been done.· Although I did most of the spadework, I wasn't given any credit for it.
also mobilise British if a country or its army mobilizes , it prepares to fight a war: · Britain mobilized its forces.· While the US mobilizes, top-level diplomats are making a last attempt to reach a negotiated settlement.
to prepare something so that it is ready to be used to prepare something such as a place, a machine, or piece of equipment for an event or activity that has been planned: · Before you start painting, prepare the walls by cleaning them and filling any cracks.· When they are not in the classroom, teachers spend much of their time preparing lessons.prepare something for something: · The Americans are preparing two new satellites for launch.· Maintenance staff are busy preparing the field for tomorrow's big game.
to make sure something is ready to be used: · I'll get the car ready.get sth ready for: · Try to get all your things ready for school the night before.· Her main job is to do general cleaning and get the rooms ready for guests.
to prepare the equipment that is needed for an activity, by putting them in the right places, putting different pieces together etc: set up something: · We've set up a microphone in the corner.· It was 6:30 and traders were already setting up their market stalls.set something up: · It'll take a few minutes to set the camera up.
to prepare yourself for something that you have to do to make yourself mentally and physically ready for something that you will have to do: · Before starting to write an answer in an exam, prepare yourself by thinking about what you want to say.prepare yourself for: · They prepared themselves for a long wait.· She has spent the last year preparing herself for the race.
if you are prepared for something unpleasant or difficult, you expect it and you have thought about it, so that you can deal with it more easily: · The children were seasick last time, so this time we're prepared .be prepared for: · I just wasn't prepared for such a difficult interview.be well prepared: · Clark's lawyers were well prepared and confident.
to do all the things you need to do in order to be ready to do something, especially things such as washing or dressing before you go somewhere: · You'd better go get ready - it's almost 8 o'clock.get ready to do something: · I was just getting ready to go out when Tim called.get yourself ready for something: · In the stadium, the sprinters are getting themselves ready for the 100-metre race.
to prepare yourself for something unpleasant that is about to happen: · Here comes the boss, and she's not looking happy! You'd better brace yourself!brace yourself for: · Socialist party leaders are bracing themselves for defeat.brace yourself to do something: · I didn't really want to hear the rest, but I braced myself to listen.
to prepare yourself to do something that you know will be upsetting, frightening, or unpleasant: · I had to steel myself before I could tell her about the accident.steel yourself to do something: · She steeled herself to look at the body again.steel yourself for: · Jim steeled himself for a fight.
informal to prepare yourself mentally for something difficult by making yourself believe that you can do it and that you really want to do it: · I tried to psych myself up before the interview.psych yourself up for: · A lot of athletes use music to psych themselves up for a game.
to prepare yourself to do something that you do not want to do, by gradually making yourself more and more determined to do it: · I haven't asked him yet, but I'm working up to it.work up to doing something: · She's been working up to telling her boyfriend it's over.
especially British to prepare yourself mentally for something such as a test or important game, by gradually making yourself believe that you can do it successfully: · The game's on Friday, so we're starting to gear ourselves up during training.gear yourself up for: · He's been gearing himself up for his exams over the past few weeks.
when methods, systems, explanations, or words are not complicated not complicated, and therefore easy to understand: · Speak slowly and use simple words so that everyone understands.· His children find European numbering simpler than the Chinese system.· There must be a perfectly simple explanation.be simple to do something: · Many vegetarian meals are delicious and simple to prepare.keep/make something simple: · The secret of successful dinner parties? Keep it simple.
simple - use this especially about explanations, instructions, and methods which contain nothing difficult or unexpected: · The new networking system is fairly straightforward - you shouldn't have any problems.· There are two straightforward ways of achieving this result.
simple and without any unnecessary features that could cause problems or confuse you: · Tom can now carry out uncomplicated tasks without help.· There are several basic techniques to learn, but they are uncomplicated enough to be mastered in one session.
a method or process that is unsophisticated is very simple compared to the most modern ones: · It may be a pretty unsophisticated system, but it has worked well for over fifty years.· In comparison with modern methods, it seems an incredibly slow and unsophisticated way of making cars.
needing only simple skills or knowledge to do or understand: · She had difficulty with even the most elementary tasks.· an elementary course in word-processing
English that people can easily understand, without any difficult or confusing words: in plain English: · I wish they'd write in plain English, instead of all this business jargon.· 'The theory of informed consent'? What does that mean, in plain English?
a rough and ready system, calculation, way of doing something etc uses a quick, simple method but ignores small details and therefore does not produce a completely perfect result: · Here are my calculations. They're a little rough and ready as yet, but you'll get a general idea.· Justice was administered in a rough and ready fashion, without using courts or juries.
to be willing to do something if you are willing to do something that is necessary or that you have been asked to do, you will do it fairly happily: · He's willing to tell the police everything he knows.· To do well as a journalist, you have to be willing to change jobs very frequently.· Investors are willing to pay more for stocks when interest rates are low.
to be willing to do something at any time, whenever it needs to be done: · I'm always ready to help if you need me.· We are ready to consider any serious proposals.· If you really want to sell, price your house sensibly and be ready to make a deal.
spoken to be willing to do something that someone wants you to do, even though you might prefer not to: · I don't mind driving if you're tired.· If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, we can check our records for you.
to be very willing to do something that will help someone else: · Our sales staff are always pleased to help.· "Could you do me a favor?" "Sure, I'd be glad to."· John says he'd be happy to give you a hand with the gardening.be only too glad/happy/pleased to do something (=be very willing): · I'd be only too pleased to look after the kids for you.
to say that you are willing to do something that someone has asked you to do, especially when this will take some effort or be inconvenient: · I've agreed to help Sarah move house this weekend.· One of the jurors agreed to talk about the experience, but did not want to be named.kindly agree to do something formal: · Officer Browning has kindly agreed to come into school and give us a talk on crime prevention.
to be willing to do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant: · He was prepared to use force if necessary.· You'll never learn to speak another language unless you're prepared to make an effort.· Griffiths was prepared to spend up to $500,000 to renovate the old theater.
eager, hard-working, and willing to do anything you are asked to do: · He's not a very bright boy, but he's young, strong, and willing.· She's an enthusiastic, willing learner.
informal to be willing to try something dangerous, new, difficult, or risky: · "Want to go climbing with us?" "Yeah, I'm game."be game to do something American: · She's one of those people who's game to try anything.be game for British: · Tim's always game for a laugh. (=willing to do things that might be fun)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
When the doorbell rang he was ready and waiting. Why does it take you so long to get ready to go out? I felt strong, fit, and ready for anything. The computer is now set up and ready to use. I’ve got to get a room ready for our guests. She was ready and willing to work hard. a ready supply of drink I had no ready answer to his question. an intelligent man with a ready witCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.
When the doorbell rang he was ready and waiting. Why does it take you so long to get ready to go out? I felt strong, fit, and ready for anything. (=prepare to start doing something) We made ready for our journey home.
We made ready for our journey home. (=said to tell someone that you are ready for them to start doing something)
(=said to tell someone that you are ready to do what you have arranged to do together)
The computer is now set up and ready to use. I’ve got to get a room ready for our guests. She was ready and willing to work hard. a ready supply of drink I had no ready answer to his question. an intelligent man with a ready wit· She was willing to admit that she’d made a mistake.
This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige. (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary) We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.
We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace. (=one that is easily available)· The early settlers also found a ready supply of flints in the chalk cliffs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Postgraduate students in the department have ready access to an exceptionally wide range of library, archive and other research resources.· Delta says it has restricted the number of charter memberships to make sure participants have ready access to the discounted fares.· For a start you are lost without ready access to a computer and a modem.· Yet fail to promote it and it will be available only to those who have ready access to the latest medical information.· For those who have ready access to the monthly issues, the benefit of this volume would be limited.· Providing prevention materials to state health departments will ensure that target groups have ready access to such materials.· Every church ought to provide ready access to its organ for those who are learning or may wish to learn the instrument.· It is strange that Gordon, who had ready access to several mirrors, should be so enamoured of this idea.
· Both have so far proved effective, which shows that ready cash is more versatile than credit cards and cheque books.· Phagu clipped the goats and wound the hair into skeins which he would sell for ready cash in town.· I pass up a roadside rest area, a happy hunting ground for new cars and ready cash.· There is not so much ready cash in my treasury.· With ready cash in your bank account you can spend the money as you want.· He made over his share in Leopold's estate to Nannerl in return for 1,000 gulden of ready cash, which he desperately needed.
· Elizabeth followed precedents set by her ancestors in selling Crown rights in some forests for ready money.· Any peasant short of ready money now had to resort to a usurer.· As if Dandy would have hung on to something that could be turned into ready money!· All we need is the ready money ter lay down ter secure the site an' the weekly rent.· I don't really need ready money, you see.
· So they always have a ready supply of air in their lungs with which to generate clicks and sing songs.· This ensures a ready supply for a few weeks without having to repeat the process.· He has a ready supply, and despite the heavy atmosphere and flat light it carries us out to Langdale.· Dozens of national ticket brokers have a ready supply to pass on, albeit for a profit.· It means I've always got a ready supply of paint stirring or glue sticks.· A ready supply of meat that makes weekly shopping for meats unnecessary. 2.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► ready, steady, go!► have something readyPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be good and ready► have something ready/done/finished etc► ready/fit for the knacker’s yard
- He was only willing to sell it for ready cash.
- Any peasant short of ready money now had to resort to a usurer.
- Both have so far proved effective, which shows that ready cash is more versatile than credit cards and cheque books.
- I pass up a roadside rest area, a happy hunting ground for new cars and ready cash.
- Less need for travelers' checks at many destinations because of the growing availability of automated teller machines worldwide dispensing ready cash.
- Phagu clipped the goats and wound the hair into skeins which he would sell for ready cash in town.
- There is not so much ready cash in my treasury.
- With ready cash in your bank account you can spend the money as you want.
- Crews had to be ready for hostile fire from the ground.
- He seems to be ready for the more burdensome necessities of the job.
- I think he will be ready for a place in the 2003 World Cup... perhaps.
- It must be child development with this goal: that every child be ready for school when that child comes of age.
- Manufacture is now proceeding and the equipment will be ready for installation on Reactor 2 in May 1993.
- Novel No. 80 should be ready for publication soon.
- Pitching coach Dave Wallace said that Radinsky still has time to be ready for the season opener.
- The financial statement will be ready for the A.G.M. The donations from the general public show a decrease on previous years.
- I'm always ready to help if you need me.
- If you really want to sell, price your house sensibly and be ready to make a deal.
- We are ready to consider any serious proposals.
- An individual's sexuality is their own affair and they will come to terms with it when they are ready to.
- By early evening, he is ready to start work.
- By the end of the year, it is ready to insert its new priorities into the biennial budget.
- Leave in the marinade until you are ready to cook.
- Look out for the envelope that will bring your invitation, and be ready to tell us your preference as soon as it arrives.
- My body ached, I was ready to drop, I wanted to cry.
- The city authorities were ready to remove 10, 000 people from their homes and offices.
- The first of these devices will be ready to fly in about 18 months, the companies said.
- After months of planning, we were finally ready to roll.
- As at the end of Dame Sirith, the cycle of fabliau narrative is ready to roll around again.
- The next morning, the plan was ready to roll.
- The technology is ready to roll and it's not like they've shied away in the past from fleecing motorists.
- Here are my calculations. They're a little rough and ready as yet, but you'll get a general idea.
- Justice was administered in a rough and ready fashion, without using courts or juries.
- All have a kitchen with smoke-blackened stone walls and a rough and ready loo hut.
- In a rough and ready way we can divide the ways in which a government controls and influences people into three.
- It made the rough and ready assumption that the underlying cure of unemployment would be provided by Keynesian economics.
- Only rough and ready figures are available because of problems of definition.
- She could talk in quite rough and ready language if occasion demanded.
- These can never be anything more than very rough and ready guidelines.
- This is a rather rough and ready technique.
WORD FAMILYnounreadinessthe readyadverbreadilyreadyadjectivereadyverbready
1prepared [not before noun] if you are ready, you are prepared for what you are going to do: Come on. Aren’t you ready yet? When the doorbell rang he was ready and waiting.ready to do something Everything’s packed, and we’re ready to leave. Why does it take you so long to get ready to go out?ready for something I don’t feel that I’m ready for my driving test yet. I felt strong, fit, and ready for anything.ready with something At the end of the lecture, I was ready with questions.make ready (=prepare to start doing something) We made ready for our journey home.when you’re ready (=said to tell someone that you are ready for them to start doing something)ready when you are (=said to tell someone that you are ready to do what you have arranged to do together) → prepare2for immediate use [not before noun] if something is ready, someone has prepared it and you can use it immediately: When will supper be ready?ready to use/eat etc The computer is now set up and ready to use.ready for something Is everything ready for the exhibition? I’ve got to get a room ready for our guests.3have something ready to have something near you so that you can use it if you need to: I had my calculator ready.4be/feel ready for something spoken to need or want something as soon as possible: I’m really ready for a vacation.5be ready to do something informal to be likely to do something soon: She looked ready to burst into tears.6willing [not before noun] very willing to do somethingready to do something He was always ready to help us. She was ready and willing to work hard.7quick [only before noun] available or coming without delay: They need to have ready access to police files. a ready supply of drink I had no ready answer to his question. an intelligent man with a ready wit8ready money/cash money that you can spend immediately: The company is short of ready cash.9ready, steady, go! British English, get ready, get set, go! American English spoken used to tell people to start a race → readily, readiness, → rough and ready at rough1(15)THESAURUSready [not before noun] having done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for something: · Are you ready? The taxi’s here.· I don’t feel that I’m ready for the test yet.prepared [not before noun] ready to deal with a situation, because you are expecting it or have made careful preparations: · The police were prepared for trouble.· The team looked well-prepared for the game.be all set to be ready to start doing something that you have planned to do, and be just about to do it: · We were all set for a barbecue when it started to rain.be good to go American English informal be ready to start doing something after completing all the necessary preparations: · We just need to get you a pair of skis and you’re good to go.ripe ripe fruit are soft, sweet, and ready to eat: · Don’t pick the apples until they’re really ripe.· a delicious ripe plumbe in place if the arrangements or the equipment for doing something are in place, they are ready to start being used: · The television cameras were in place for the wedding.· All the arrangements are in place for a new constitution and democratic elections.be standing by if people are standing by, they are ready to take action and help if they are needed – used especially about medical teams, police, the army etc: · Officers in full riot gear were standing by outside the police station.· Several ambulances were standing by.ready1 adjectiveready2 verbready3 nounready4 adverb
readyready2 verb (past tense and past participle readied, present participle readying, third person singular readies) [transitive] VERB TABLE
ready
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | ready |
| he, she, it | readies | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | readied |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have readied |
| he, she, it | has readied | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had readied |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will ready |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have readied |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am readying |
| he, she, it | is readying | |
| you, we, they | are readying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was readying |
| you, we, they | were readying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been readying |
| he, she, it | has been readying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been readying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be readying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been readying |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Hurrying down to his men, he readied them.
- I waited for her to try to scream again, readying myself to leap upon her and bear her down.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.
· She was willing to admit that she’d made a mistake.
This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige. (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary) We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.
We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace. (=one that is easily available)· The early settlers also found a ready supply of flints in the chalk cliffs.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be good and ready► have something ready/done/finished etc► ready/fit for the knacker’s yard
- After months of planning, we were finally ready to roll.
- As at the end of Dame Sirith, the cycle of fabliau narrative is ready to roll around again.
- The next morning, the plan was ready to roll.
- The technology is ready to roll and it's not like they've shied away in the past from fleecing motorists.
- Here are my calculations. They're a little rough and ready as yet, but you'll get a general idea.
- Justice was administered in a rough and ready fashion, without using courts or juries.
- All have a kitchen with smoke-blackened stone walls and a rough and ready loo hut.
- In a rough and ready way we can divide the ways in which a government controls and influences people into three.
- It made the rough and ready assumption that the underlying cure of unemployment would be provided by Keynesian economics.
- Only rough and ready figures are available because of problems of definition.
- She could talk in quite rough and ready language if occasion demanded.
- These can never be anything more than very rough and ready guidelines.
- This is a rather rough and ready technique.
WORD FAMILYnounreadinessthe readyadverbreadilyreadyadjectivereadyverbready
formal to make something or someone ready for something SYN prepareready somebody/something for something I tried to ready him for the bad news.ready1 adjectiveready2 verbready3 nounready4 adverb
readyready3 noun Longman Language Activatorwhen you are ready to do something
if you are ready for something, you have done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for it: · Are you ready? The taxi's here.· When everyone is ready, I'll give the signal to start.ready for: · I don't feel that I'm ready for the test yet.ready to do something: · Everything is packed and we're ready to leave.get ready (=prepare yourself to do something): · That's settled then. I'll go and get ready.· My sister always spends hours getting ready to go out.· It was soon time for the actors to get ready for the evening performance.ready and waiting: · The wedding guests were all ready and waiting long before the bride arrived.ready when you are (=I am ready to do something as soon as you are): · "Shall we go then?" "Yes, ready when you are."
ready to deal with a situation, because you were expecting it or because you have made careful preparations: prepared for: · The police were prepared for trouble.· I was not prepared for all the questions they asked.well prepared: · The team was well prepared and focussed on the issues.
to be ready and eager to start doing something: · On Christmas Day, the kids are always up and ready to go at 6 o'clock.· If everyone's ready to go, let's get started.
to be ready to start doing something that you have planned to do and want to do: · Dad got on his bike. "Are you all set?" he called.be all set for: · The team are all set for another comfortable victory.be all set to do something: · We were all set to start the barbecue when it started to rain.
if an organization or group of people are geared up for something that is going to happen, they have made careful plans so that they can deal with it as soon as it happens: be geared up for: · There are clear signs that the governor is geared up for a second attempt at the White House.be geared up to do something: · Companies that survive are the ones that are geared up to meet the demands of the future.get geared up: · The airport was getting geared up to deal with a heavier schedule of flights.
if you do something in readiness for something that you expect will happen, you do it so that you will be ready: · As the conflict grew worse, troops waited in readiness at the borders.in readiness for: · A new stage and seating area has been built in readiness for tonight's sell-out performance.
spoken used to tell someone who is impatient for you to do something that you will not do it until your are ready: · Dad says he'll come when he's good and ready.· Leave me alone! I'll tell her when I'm good and ready.
American spoken to have completed all the necessary preparations and be ready to start doing something: · We just need to get you a pair of skis and you're good to go.· "Do you have all the hiking gear?" "Yeah, I'm good to go."
to be in a suitable condition to be ready for something, especially a positive change: · Economists regard the region as being ripe for development.· After the divorce I was thoroughly fed up and ripe for a new start, so I agreed to take the job.
ready to be used or eaten if something is ready , you can use it or eat it immediately: · Lunch is ready!· When the pasta's ready, add the sauce.· I'm sorry, your car isn't ready yet, sir.ready to eat/collect/use etc: · Your suit will be ready to pick up on Wednesday.· In a year's time, the wine will be ready to drink.· I tend to buy a lot of meals that are ready to eat (=they have already been cooked).ready for: · Is everything ready for the party?get something ready (=prepare it): · It took several months to get the boat ready for the voyage.
if equipment, a system, a rule, or a plan is in place , it is ready to start being used: · A new PA system should be in place in the next three to six months.· When everything is in place, the building work begins, even if it means running two massive projects at the same time.· The uncertain economy is forcing us to accelerate cost-cutting plans that are already in place.
ripe fruit is soft, sweet, and ready to eat: · Don't pick the apples until they're really ripe.· Is this melon ripe enough to eat?
if something is at the ready , it is nearby or in your hands, so that you can use it immediately if something happens and you need it: · Several reporters were outside, microphones at the ready.have/keep something at the ready: · I kept my camera at the ready in case the bird reappeared.with something at the ready: · Two police officers advanced, with guns at the ready.
written ready to be used when something that you are expecting happens: · The table was carefully laid in readiness.in readiness for: · Everything was laid out on the bed, in readiness for the new baby.
ready to take action if it is needed to be ready to take action or provide something when it is needed: · Officers in full riot gear were standing by outside the police station.· A plane was standing by to take the hostages from the airport.
if a group of people, especially soldiers or police are on standby , they are waiting, ready to go somewhere if they are needed when something happens that is expected to happen soon: · Extra troops have been brought in, and riot police are on standby.· Bomb squads are on 24-hour standby because of the threats.be on standby to do something: · RAF medical crews are on standby to fly out to the war zone.
if someone such as a doctor or engineer is on call , they are ready to give advice on the phone or go and help where they are needed, as part of their job: · As a doctor, you will be on call regularly at weekends.· There are four physiotherapists on call at the sports injury clinic.
if soldiers, police officers etc are on full alert , they are completely ready to deal with a dangerous situation: · All ships were on full alert.put/place something on full alert: · By 7 pm the President had placed American military forces on full alert.be on full alert for: · The police were on full alert for further riots.
when you are not ready to do something if you are not ready for something, you have not done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for it: · Wait a minute! I'm not ready yet.not ready for: · The coaches felt Stark wasn't ready for major league baseball yet.not ready to do something: · I felt that I wasn't ready to make a final decision.
written not ready to deal with something because you were not expecting it, and have not thought about it or made plans: unprepared for: · Mexico was unprepared for war.· When I told her the news, I was totally unprepared for her reaction.unprepared to do something: · The study showed that 50% of the students were unprepared for work or college.
not ready to eat or use if something is not ready , you cannot use it or eat it immediately: · I'm afraid dinner's not ready yet.· The blackberries won't be ready for another week or two.not ready for: · The zero-emission care is not ready for mass production.not ready to eat/drink/use etc: · The paint's not ready to use when you buy it. You have to mix it with water.
fruit that is unripe is not soft, sweet, or ready to eat: · Don't use unripe apples for making cider.· The cherries on the tree were still unripe.
to do something or to happen when someone is not ready informal if you are caught napping by something that happens, you are not expecting it and are not ready to deal with it, although you should expect it and be ready for it: · Stock traders who ignore these signs are in danger of being caught napping when a recession hits.be caught napping by: · Nowadays, no company can afford to be caught napping by a technological development.
to say or do something when someone is not expecting it so that they cannot deal with it as well as they would like to: · "Are you married?" Vick asked, catching her off guard.· The Prime Minister admitted to being caught off guard by news of the attack.
informal to arrive or to do something when someone is not ready, and make them feel stupid or embarrassed: · The city got caught with its financial pants down, and the scandal has led to 12 high-level officials losing their jobs.
British informal to do something, or to happen, when someone is not expecting it and is not ready to deal with it: · The dramatic fall in share prices caught even the experts on the hop.· Many politicians have been caught on the hop by a good interviewer.
informal to try to do something even though you are not ready, especially when you have to pretend you know more about something that you do: · If you are asked a question that you're not ready for, it's better to say "I hadn't considered that" than to wing it and get it wrong.· We have to wing it in the first game, but we'll be more prepared for the next one.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.
· She was willing to admit that she’d made a mistake.
This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige. (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary) We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.
We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace. (=one that is easily available)· The early settlers also found a ready supply of flints in the chalk cliffs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· Hodgesaargh the falconer was getting ready in the tiny room next door when he felt the change in the air.· Now I get my rifle ready and brace myself, making sure of my footing.· For the longest time, the Raiders tried to get Brown ready to play.· I do this because wife getting pregnant ready, and I worried.· Nelo sat up as if getting ready for the real part of the interview.· She went to work getting my supper ready.· The Interior Department has agreed to spend $ 3. 3 million getting the island ready for private development.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the readiesPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be good and ready► have something ready/done/finished etc► ready/fit for the knacker’s yard
1at the ready available to be used immediately: - I kept my camera at the ready in case the bird reappeared.
- Several reporters were outside, microphones at the ready.
- The crowd stood around, cameras at the ready.
- Two police officers advanced, with guns at the ready.
- As yet unsigned, Lisa B has several major record companies with a pen at the ready.
- He leapt to the ground beside the ship, his sawed-off shotgun at the ready.
- He pictured the Federals now strongly entrenched, with cannons and muskets at the ready.
- On the other side of the double row of barbed wire a guard was standing still holding his rifle at the ready.
- Ralph would compose himself, at the ready.
- She cleaned her teeth every three hours and had Juicy fruit continually at the ready in case he wanted to kiss her.
- So throughout it all my readiness to refuse the will and hand of Maman was at the ready.
- The President started swearing silently as soon as he saw the troops in camouflage uniforms with rifles at the ready.
- After months of planning, we were finally ready to roll.
- As at the end of Dame Sirith, the cycle of fabliau narrative is ready to roll around again.
- The next morning, the plan was ready to roll.
- The technology is ready to roll and it's not like they've shied away in the past from fleecing motorists.
- Here are my calculations. They're a little rough and ready as yet, but you'll get a general idea.
- Justice was administered in a rough and ready fashion, without using courts or juries.
- All have a kitchen with smoke-blackened stone walls and a rough and ready loo hut.
- In a rough and ready way we can divide the ways in which a government controls and influences people into three.
- It made the rough and ready assumption that the underlying cure of unemployment would be provided by Keynesian economics.
- Only rough and ready figures are available because of problems of definition.
- She could talk in quite rough and ready language if occasion demanded.
- These can never be anything more than very rough and ready guidelines.
- This is a rather rough and ready technique.
Soldiers stood around with weapons at the ready.2the readies British English informal money that you can use immediately: I’m getting a new car as soon as I can scrape together the readies.ready1 adjectiveready2 verbready3 nounready4 adverb
readyready4 adverb EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- And you have the framework of your story ready made for you, a great help to the beginner.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige.
· She was willing to admit that she’d made a mistake.
This time he waited until he was good and ready (=completely ready). The building’s nowhere near finished. If you need a ride home, I’d be happy to oblige. (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary) We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.
We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace. (=one that is easily available)· The early settlers also found a ready supply of flints in the chalk cliffs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· They were getting ready, at last, to leave him.· When discussion time came around, I got ready.· Then she and her daughters got ready for the festival.· Now, get ready to negotiate with everybody.· This passed the endurance of the immortals, and Zeus got ready his thunderbolt to strike them.· Or for looking to her killers like she might be getting ready, getting ready to come in.· While Tom got ready I walked around the area to check on what the other orators at Speakers' Corner were saying.· The sycamores, blemished bark, but very nice, brown and white, getting ready to cough up leaves.
· Early in their lives they made ready for decline.· Remember, after the war our themes were ready made.· She had the servants make ready an easy-running mule-cart and pack it with the soiled clothes.· With helmets and pads we make ready the battle To stomp on each other like half-crazy cattle.
· The pyre stood ready on a hillock.· The international financial markets stand ready to discipline and expose fraudulent governments.· Junior standing ready in a glowing shroud of mist.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be good and ready► have something ready/done/finished etc► ready/fit for the knacker’s yard
- After the church service he was conducted to a house ready prepared, where a regal feast was laid before him.
- Anyone who has given online demonstrations and experienced systems breakdown, will appreciate the advantage of having alternative ready prepared demonstration material!
- Brownie albums were provided, with spaces ready prepared for slotting in a sequence of the snapshots.
- But fresh potatoes are less expensive than many of the dehydrated and ready prepared and frozen products.
- Freezer: Pack of steaks, beefburgers, fish-fingers, peas, runner beans, ready cooked curry meal, cod.
- Microwave combination ovens can successfully prime cook fresh and frozen foods and regenerate ready cooked dishes from chilled and frozen.
- After months of planning, we were finally ready to roll.
- As at the end of Dame Sirith, the cycle of fabliau narrative is ready to roll around again.
- The next morning, the plan was ready to roll.
- The technology is ready to roll and it's not like they've shied away in the past from fleecing motorists.
- Here are my calculations. They're a little rough and ready as yet, but you'll get a general idea.
- Justice was administered in a rough and ready fashion, without using courts or juries.
- All have a kitchen with smoke-blackened stone walls and a rough and ready loo hut.
- In a rough and ready way we can divide the ways in which a government controls and influences people into three.
- It made the rough and ready assumption that the underlying cure of unemployment would be provided by Keynesian economics.
- Only rough and ready figures are available because of problems of definition.
- She could talk in quite rough and ready language if occasion demanded.
- These can never be anything more than very rough and ready guidelines.
- This is a rather rough and ready technique.
WORD FAMILYnounreadinessthe readyadverbreadilyreadyadjectivereadyverbready
ready cooked/prepared etc already cooked, prepared etc by someone else: They seem to live on ready cooked meals.