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UKall hands on deck
/ˈɔːl hˈandz ˌɒn dˈɛk/
/ˈɔːl hˈændz ˌɑːn dˈɛk/all hands on deck
[SENTENCE]1
used for saying that everyone's assistance is needed for a situation, particularly a difficult one
What is the origin of the idiom "all hands on deck" and when to use it?
The phrase "all hands on deck" originated in the context of sailing ships. When a ship was in a crisis or an emergency, the captain would call for "all hands on deck," meaning that every member of the crew was needed to help. It is now used more broadly to mean that everyone is needed to help with a task or situation. It is often used in a work or business context.
Examples
1. We're going to need all hands on deck because the gravity of this crisis is very, very real and there is no guarantee that New York City just comes back the way we want it to.
2. Hundreds of agencies can work together on the biggest fires, although it's not always all hands on deck.
3. We have a big project due tomorrow, so we need all hands on deck to get it done.
4. If there's a fire in the building, we need all hands on deck to evacuate everyone safely.
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