Definition of "action stations" []

• The positions or activity assumed by the crew of a warship immediately in advance of combat or other hostile action; also, the signal given to indicate such imminent action. (noun)
• Any general state of intense anticipatory activity. (noun)

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• "Pulling on clothing with the near-conditioned reflexes of trained but sleepy seamen, they started running to their action stations — to the guns, to rangefinders, to magazines and damage control centres, to first-aid stations and a dozen other positions."
• "At 1240 came the warning shout, "Steamer in sight," and at the prospect of the first bit of excitement for more than three weeks the crews rushed to action stations as the alarms sounded."
• "When two of the worst-behaved seamen were ordered back to Germany and refused to go, two British destroyers came alongside with crews at action stations to remove them and send them to a British prison."