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lock and load
01
used as a command to instruct soldiers or individuals to prepare their weapons for use
Examples
We're moving out in five minutes, lock and load!
to lock and load
01
to get ready for action or prepare for a challenge
Slang
What does "to lock and load" mean in readiness slang?
The phrase "to lock and load" means to prepare for action or a challenge, often with full readiness or intensity. The structure comes from military terminology referring to preparing a firearm for use, where "lock" secures the mechanism and "load" inserts ammunition. It is informal slang commonly used in sports, gaming, and everyday speech to describe gearing up mentally or physically for an upcoming task or confrontation.
Examples
The team locked and loaded before the big client pitch.
