严阵以待

嚴陣以待

yánzhènyǐdài

idiom #18,506

Meanings

1 to stand ready in battle formation
2 to be fully prepared; on high alert

Characters

battle formation; array

to wait; to await

Examples

HSK 7-9

台风来临之前，全市严阵以待。

Táifēng láilín zhīqián, quánshì yánzhènyǐdài.

Before the typhoon arrived, the whole city was on high alert.

HSK 7-9

警察严阵以待，防止骚乱发生。

Jǐngchá yánzhènyǐdài, fángzhǐ sāoluàn fāshēng.

The police stood fully prepared to prevent riots from breaking out.

Tips

memory

严 (strict) + 阵 (battle formation) + 以 (in order to) + 待 (wait) - standing in strict formation, ready and waiting. Picture soldiers in perfect rows, braced for the enemy.

Stroke Order

严 yán

阵 zhèn

以 yǐ

待 dài