get one's ducks in a row



get one's ducks in a row

Also, have one's ducks in a row. Complete one's preparations, become efficient and well organized, as in I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before I go to Europe. This synonym for get one's act together probably alludes to lining up target ducks in a shooting gallery. [Slang; 1970s]
See also: duck, get, row

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Zhelyazko-Bulgarian
Leokadiale-aw-KAHD-yahPolish
Darayavahush-Ancient Persian
Svana-Icelandic
Jacobineyah-ko-BEE-nə (Dutch)Norwegian, Danish, Dutch
OlÍVia-Portuguese, Slovak, Hungarian