all hands on deck

American

[awl handz on dek] / ˈɔl ˈhændz ˌɒn ˈdɛk /

Sometimes all hands

interjection

(used as an order to all members of a ship’s crew to report to the deck at once, as in an emergency).

We were roused from our bunks by shouts of “All hands on deck!”

idiom

(used as a call for the immediate assistance of everyone present or available).

We only have two days till the deadline, people, so—all hands on deck!
immediate and concerted effort, or a situation that calls for it.

We can nip crime in the bud if we go at it with all hands on deck.
If the server goes down, it’s going to be all hands on deck.

Etymology

Origin of all hands on deck

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I want to enjoy tonight with my teammates but make no mistake we'll be all hands on deck," he said.

From Barron's

“The people not out here today need to understand this could be their family member, their spouse, their children. The time is now. All hands on deck.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s all hands on deck as an army of volunteers get floats ready for their run down Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1.

From Los Angeles Times

He told Atlanta reporters last week that the Rams have “an all hands on deck” mentality and that he has attempted to implement similar systems.

From Los Angeles Times

And it’s all hands on deck as an army of volunteers get floats ready for their run down Colorado Boulevard on Thursday, Jan. 1.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023