He stood by the phone, pencil at the ready. 他准备好了铅笔，站在电话旁。
Elsewhere, groups of soldiers waited at the ready.
Tonight I'm watching the episode in which her brother dies so it'll be tissues at the ready.
A young policeman was sitting in the corner, notebook at the ready.
I'm looking out to sea, binoculars at the ready, hoping to see a dolphin.
See also: ready noun