under starters orders

under starter's orders

Literally, ready to begin a competition, especially a race, when signaled by the starter (the person who officially marks the beginning of the event). It wasn't until we were all under starter's orders that an official stopped the race due an accusation that one of the jockeys had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.See also: order

under ˌstarters ˈorders

(of a runner, rider, etc.) waiting for a signal to start the raceSee also: order, starter