all hands on deck vs all hands are on deck

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'All hands on deck' is a common idiom that means everyone is needed to help with a particular task or situation. 'All hands are on deck' is a literal statement indicating that everyone who should be on the deck of a ship is there.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 928 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English as an idiom to indicate that everyone is needed to help with a particular task or situation.

"all hands on deck"

This phrase is used as an idiom to convey the message that all available people are required to contribute to a specific effort or problem.

Examples:

When the fire alarm went off, it was all hands on deck to evacuate the building.
With the project deadline approaching, we need all hands on deck to finish on time.
During the crisis, the company CEO called for all hands on deck to come up with a solution.
The team faced a tough challenge, so it was all hands on deck to brainstorm ideas.
The school play was a big production, so it was all hands on deck to make it a success.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm only trying to point out how it appears and also reminding you that it takes all hands on deck to launch a book.
All we really know is it's all hands on deck.
We need all hands on deck.
I'll get all hands on deck, including NISA's global SWAT unit.
Now, I need all hands on deck for the next two days.
Okay, now, it's all hands on deck.
I think you'll agree we need all hands on deck to deal with this Sentox situation.
Apparently, her new tablets have just kicked in, so it's going to be all hands on deck this afternoon, if you know what I mean.
Now, I'd like all hands on deck for this, but because you and O'Hara are due to testify in court in four hours -
All hands on deck, everyone calling their agents, desperate to get a place in the lifeboats.
All hands on deck, everyone calling their agents, desperate to get a place in the lifeboats.
It's a total resume padder, and I need all hands on deck.
When an L.A.P.D. officer vanishes, it's all hands on deck.
We'll need all hands on deck.
Needless to say, this one is all hands on deck.
We need all hands on deck here with hope.
We need all hands on deck for this apology tour.
Considering the stakes, they'll need all hands on deck.
It's all hands on deck until we find him.
We need all hands on deck, to protect the town, our kids.

Alternatives:

everyone is needed
everyone is required
full participation is necessary
all available people are required
everyone must contribute

This phrase is correct as a literal statement indicating that everyone who should be on the deck of a ship is there.

"all hands are on deck"

This phrase is used in a literal sense to describe a situation where all the crew members who should be on the deck of a ship are present.

Alternatives:

everyone who should be on deck is present
all crew members are on deck
everyone required on deck is there
all necessary personnel are on deck
all crew are present on deck

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all hands on deck vs all hands are on deck

"all hands on deck"

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