Etymology Journal ยท O
On your mark, get set, go!
Meaning
- The standard set of commands to start a race. It is now used figuratively to tell someone to get ready for action immediately.
Urgent, energetic
Used in a sentence
- On your mark, get set, go! Let us see who finishes the dishes first.
- The race started with the classic on your mark, get set, go.
- He stood at the door and shouted on your mark, get set, go for the kids to start the Easter egg hunt.
The backstory
These were the official commands for track and field races in the early 20th century. The marks referred to the starting lines that athletes stood at.
Heard in
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