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What does “all hands on deck” mean?

Meaning, example sentences and a quick practice question.

B2

A situation where everyone needs to help

“It's all hands on deck this week before the launch.”

Say it smoothly: “all-han-zon-deck”

From the B2 lesson Cutting to the Chase (workplace idioms).

C1

Everyone needs to help, usually urgently

“It's all hands on deck until the launch is done.”

Say it smoothly: “all-han-zon-deck”

From the C1 lesson Cutting to the Chase (workplace idioms).

Quick check

What does “all hands on deck” mean?

Teaching this phrase?“all hands on deck” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 3 (Money, Food, Work and Travel) and Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 3 (Money, Food, Work and Travel).
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack

Or get all 32 lessons in the complete B2 course or the complete C1 course and save 25%.

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