(military, British, Canada) The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; general quarters; also, the signal given to indicate su
(military, British, Canada) The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; general quarters; also, the signal given to indicate such imminent action.
Action stations means: The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; general quarters; also, the signal given to indicate such imminent action.. It is military jargon and mostly appears in service contexts, war fiction, or among veterans and their families. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
Action stations means: The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; general quarters; also, the signal given to indicate such imminent action.. It is military jargon and mostly appears in service contexts, war fiction, or among veterans and their families. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Add your own interpretation of "action stations".
UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.
See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.
Browse all .
(military, US) A maximum alert level issued on a warship for all personnel to prepare for immediate combat; the state of a warship at maximum combat readiness.
(UK, naval) Brought to a sudden halt.
(US, _, military) A component of a naval task force.
(UK, naval) Wearing one's clothes, for example while sleeping.
action stations means: The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; general quarters; also, the signal given to indicate such. Register: informal, military jargon. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.
“Under missile threat drills🚨 HMS Dragon has been conducting high-tempo "Hands to Action Stations" training in the Eastern Mediterranean, practising rapid response and evasive manoeuvres as part of her ongoing air defence deployment🔗⬇️”
No comments yet — say something.
(figuratively) Any general state of intense anticipatory activity.
No comments yet — say something.