严阵以待
yán​zhèn​yǐ​dài

to be in combat readiness

  1. 严 嚴 yán adjective
    tight
    tight; closely sealed; leaving no gaps
  2. 阵 陣 zhèn noun
    battle array
    The disposition or formation of troops; a battle front or position.
  3. 以 yǐ prepositionconjunction
    in order to
    in order to; so as to; used to connect two phrases where the second is the purpose of the first
  4. 待 dài
    to defend against
    to defend against; to resist; to be prepared for (an attack)