get/have your ducks in a row

Get one's duck in a row，字面意思是，把某人的鸭子排成一排。其引申意就是，把事情安排妥当、使井井有条。

to be well prepared or well organized for something that is going to happen

为…而精心准备;安排得井井有条

They should have had their ducks in a row beforehand, so they were ready to start the job when required.

他们应该提前准备好，这样一接到要求就立刻可以开始工作。