Dictionary

have one's ducks in a row en · VERB

Perhaps from the image of ducklings following their mother in an orderly line. See also line up one's ducks.

(idiomatic) To be organized; to have one's affairs in order; specifically, to have a multiperson effort coordinated towards the exact same goal.
- "You didn't need us." The man standing next to the steps laughed. "The work was done before to-night. You had your ducks in a row all right." 1911, Kate Langley Bosher, Miss Gibbie Gault:
- Wouldn't it be nice to have our ducks in a row and not have to search for the papers every time we needed them?

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
having one's ducks in a row	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
get one's ducks in a row		alternative	lexicographic
has one's ducks in a row	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
put one's ducks in a row		alternative	lexicographic
had one's ducks in a row	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
had one's ducks in a row	Tense=Past		lexicographic