all-hands-on-deck

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a situation in which every available person is needed or called to assist
an all-hands-on-deck effort
"Overwhelmingly the response I heard is that we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin," [Governor Tony] Evers said.Scott Bauer

Examples of all-hands-on-deck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During major storms, KDOT takes an all-hands-on-deck approach, enlisting anyone on staff who’s licensed to drive a snowplow for 12-hour shifts until roads are clear. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025 But there’s nothing watered-down about Attachment Theory — even with the all-hands-on-deck spirit, Sharon Van Etten’s voice comes through loud and clear. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025 An alliance between liberals, leftists, and centrists cemented—an all-hands-on-deck approach would be needed to defeat Trump. Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025 During major storms, the agency takes an all-hands-on-deck approach, enlisting anyone on staff who’s licensed to drive a snowplow. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for all-hands-on-deck 

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-hands-on-deck was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near all-hands-on-deck

Cite this Entry

“All-hands-on-deck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-hands-on-deck. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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