Get one’s ducks in a row 或 have one’s ducks in a row 意為「把事情安排妥當；做好準備；把事情處理妥當；把事情安排得有條不紊、井然有序」。它們都是美國成語，但起源眾說紛紜。有一說是，它們源自 1700 年代流行的一種草地保齡球 (lawn bowling) 運動，因為在比賽或運動前，鴨子形狀的球瓶都排成一列 (in a row)。另有一說是，在靶場或射擊場，鐵皮鴨都排成一列。第三種說法源自真實的鴨子，因為小鴨會排成一列跟著母鴨行進。Get/have one’s ducks in a row 於 1889 年開始被用作現在的意思。
例句：
- The prime minister has given his ministers a few days to get their ducks in a row. If they don’t improve their performance he’ll replace them. (總理已給了他的閣員幾天時間來把事情處理好。如果他們的表現沒有改善，他將予以撤換)
- Peter is organized. He really has all his ducks in a row right away. (彼得做事井井有條。他很快就能將他的事情安排得有條不紊)
- With the recession looming, the government has to get its ducks in a row and create job opportunities. (由於經濟衰退隱約浮現，政府必須做好準備並創造就業機會)
- The government talks about tax reforms but they won’t fix a date or an amount – they just can’t have their ducks in a row. (政府高談闊論稅制改革，但卻無法敲定日期或金額 － 他們就是不能把事情安排妥當)