more hands on deck

USAGE SUMMARY

"more hands on deck" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the idea that more people are needed to help with a task or situation. It is often used in a work or team setting, but can also be used in other situations. Example: "We have a big project deadline coming up, so we need more hands on deck to make sure we finish on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We need more help& more hands on deck.

The New York Times

"We need more hands on deck," Sandvik told us.

TechCrunch

"We need more help and more hands on deck.

Forbes

It was clear that CCBS needed more hands on deck, so I redoubled my efforts to ensure that I would finish my thesis and get my papers published before 22 October.

Science Magazine

As the patient load continued to escalate with referrals from across the southern region of the country, the need for more hands on deck to identify and diagnose these infections at THK quickly became apparent.

Duke University

And it's not surprising, given the dramatic changes in the news cycle since the 90's, that Drudge would want a few more hands on deck to keep up with news outlets constantly publishing new material.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If the company adds a large stable of writers, perhaps the more-hands-on-deck model could provide better content in the long run.

TechCrunch

"In the aftermath of the financial crisis," the statement said, "we need more willing hands on deck, not less, to meet that critical objective".

The New York Times

Some boasted highly flexible, self-scheduling work groups; others featured more structured, "all hands on deck" environments.

Harvard Business Review

But Queen was fine, if a little redolent of all those beer-soaked floors from which sweaty teenagers of at least four generations have sung "We Are the Champions". Instead of a host making jokes about how long the show is and how big the ratings dip will be, there was a far more optimistic "all hands on deck" energy that bounced the action between awards and performance.

Los Angeles Times

"It's all hands on deck," one official said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more hands on deck" when you want to emphasize the collaborative effort needed to overcome a challenge or meet a deadline. It's best suited for situations where a task requires physical effort or active participation from multiple people.

Common error

Avoid using "more hands on deck" in highly formal settings like legal documents or academic papers. While widely understood, it may be perceived as too informal. Instead, opt for phrases like "additional personnel are required" or "increased manpower is necessary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more hands on deck" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a call for help or assistance. Ludwig's examples show this phrase being used when additional personnel or effort is needed to address a task or challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more hands on deck" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood idiom that calls for additional assistance or resources. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage and suggests it is especially relevant in News & Media and Academia. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be suitable in specific contexts. Remember to use it when you want to communicate a need for collaborative effort, while recognizing the importance of adapting your language to the specific audience and scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extra help needed

A simpler and more direct way to express the need for more assistance.

require more team members

This alternative specifies that more individuals are needed to join a team to achieve a specific goal or effort.

more staff assistance

This focuses on the assistance provided by additional staff members.

need more contributors

This alternative suggests that additional individuals are needed to contribute to a specific goal or effort.

more personnel available

This alternative uses more formal language, focusing on the availability of staff.

require further assistance

This is a formal way of requesting more help, suitable for professional contexts.

additional support staff

This alternative emphasizes the need for extra support personnel.

increased manpower

This phrase highlights the need for additional workforce or labor.

require additional resources

This alternative broadens the scope to include resources beyond just personnel.

need for reinforcements

This phrase uses a military metaphor to indicate the requirement for additional support.

FAQs

How can I use "more hands on deck" in a sentence?

You can use "more hands on deck" to indicate that additional help is needed. For example: "We have a big project deadline coming up, so we need "more hands on deck" to make sure we finish on time."

What does "more hands on deck" mean?

The phrase "more hands on deck" is an idiom that means "more personnel available" or that more help is needed to complete a task. It evokes the image of a ship where all crew members are actively working.

What's a similar expression to "more hands on deck"?

Similar expressions include "all hands on deck", which implies that everyone available is needed, or simply stating that "extra help needed".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "more hands on deck"?

It's appropriate to use "more hands on deck" in situations where there is a pressing need for additional assistance to accomplish a goal, particularly when active participation is required. This could be in a workplace setting, during a community event, or even within a family.