on standbya) READYready to help immediately if you are needed 待命 A special team of police were kept on standby. 一支特警队随时待命。
b) if you are on standby to do something, for example to travel by plane, you are on a list of people who may be allowed to do it if places become available 候补待位,等退票 We can put you on standby. 我们可以让你候补待位。
→ stand byon standby• City firefighters have been on standby for the past three days.• Other airlines said they would accept the passengers on standby.
→ on standby at standby1(1)