World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesOn your mark
/ɒn jɔː mɑːrk/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An official command given to runners or athletes to take their positions at the starting line immediately before a race begins.
"The referee raised the starter pistol and shouted, 'On your mark, get set, go!'"
- 1
Used colloquially to tell someone to get ready or prepare for an impending action or competition.
"On your mark, everyone; we start the project presentation in two minutes."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from 19th-century track and field athletics terminology, where officials instructed runners to take their initial starting positions ('mark'). The phrase gained widespread usage through formal racing protocols before expanding metaphorically into general English to indicate readiness for an impending task.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "On your mark"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "On your mark" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
À vos marques
Transliteration: a vo mark
"À vos marques, prêts, partez !"
Auf die Plätze
Transliteration: auf diː plɛtsə
"Auf die Plätze, fertig, los!"
Ai vostri posti
Transliteration: ai vɔs.tri ˈpɔs.ti
"Ai vostri posti, pronti, via!"
En sus marcas
Transliteration: en sus ˈmaɾ.kas
"En sus marcas, listos, fuera!"
Às marcas
Transliteration: as ˈmaɾ.kɐs
"Às marcas, preparados, já!"
अपने स्थान पर
Transliteration: apne sthaan par
Script: अपने स्थान पर तैयार हो जाओ
"अपने स्थान पर, तैयार, शुरू!"
各就各位
Transliteration: gè jiù gè wèi
"各就各位，预备，跑！"
제자리에
Transliteration: jejarie
Script: 제자리 에
"제자리에, 준비, 시작!"
位置につvて
Transliteration: ichi ni tsuite
Script: 位置について
"位置について、よーい、どん！"
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