get (one's) ducks in a row

get (one's) ducks in a row

To take action to become well-organized, prepared, and/or up-to-date. We need to get our ducks in a row to ensure that there are no problems at home while we're gone on our trip. Make sure Finance gets their ducks in a row before the audit.See also: duck, get, row

get one's ducks in a row

Fig. to get one's affairs in order or organized. Jane is organized. She really gets all her ducks in a row right away. You can't hope to go into a company and sell something until you get your ducks in a row.See also: duck, get, row

get one's ducks in a row

Also, have one's ducks in a row. Complete one's preparations, become efficient and well organized, as in I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before I go to Europe. This synonym for get one's act together probably alludes to lining up target ducks in a shooting gallery. [Slang; 1970s] See also: duck, get, row

get your ducks in a row

or

have your ducks in a row

mainly AMERICAN, INFORMALIf you get your ducks in a row or have your ducks in a row, you get everything well organized and under control. The people who've been running the business for the last few years seem to be getting their ducks in a row. Dan's a thorough kind of guy. He isn't going to do anything until he's got all his ducks in a row. Note: The `ducks' in this expression are duckpins. The game of duckpins is a variation of bowling, with ten smaller pins and a smaller ball with no finger holes. The literal meaning of `to get your ducks in a row' is to get your duckpins set up for the next game. See also: duck, get, row

get (or have) your ducks in a row

get (or have) your facts straight; get (or have) everything organized. North American informal 1996 Brew Your Own You really want to have all your ducks in a row before the meeting. See also: duck, get, row

get/have (all) your ˌducks in a ˈrow

(especially American English) have made all the preparations needed to do something; be well organized: We need to get all our ducks in a row before beginning work on the project.See also: duck, get, have, row