deck
Floor or platform on a ship or vehicle
A flat floor area on a ship, bus, or big vehicle.
on the [upper/lower] deck
- Passengers gathered on the upper deck to watch the sunset.
- The crew cleaned the main deck before we set sail.
- We sat on the open deck during the ferry ride.
- We went to the top deck of the bus.
- The sailors worked on the deck.
- I saw dolphins from the ship's deck.
Flat outdoor floor attached to a house
A flat area outside a house, often made of wood, for sitting or eating.
sit on the deck
- They had breakfast on the back deck.
- We added a new deck to our house last summer.
- The deck needs to be painted before winter.
- We eat dinner on the deck in summer.
- The deck is behind the house.
- He built a small deck by himself.
Complete set of playing cards
All the playing cards needed for a game.
a deck of cards
- He shuffled the deck before dealing.
- We bought a new deck for poker night.
- The magician used a special trick deck.
- I have a new deck of cards.
- She shuffled the deck quickly.
- We played with an old deck.
Knock someone down by hitting them
To hit someone very hard so they fall down.
to deck [someone]
- The boxer decked his opponent in the first round.
- He was so angry he nearly decked the guy.
- She got decked during the street fight.
- The boxer decked his rival.
- He decked the man after an argument.
- She was decked in the fight.
Decorate for celebration or event
To make something look nice for a party or holiday.
to deck [something] with [decorations]
- The hall was decked with ribbons and balloons.
- They decked the tree with ornaments.
- The city streets were decked out for the festival.
- We decked the room with balloons.
- The tree was decked with lights.
- They decked the hall for the wedding.
- Base: deck
- Plural: deck, decks
- Base: deck
- 3rd Person Singular: decks
- Present Participle: decking
- Past: decked
clear the decks
1Prepare for important activity by removing obstacles
To get ready for something important by removing things that are in the way.
- They cleared the decks before starting the big project.
- Clear the decks—we have work to do.
deck out
1Decorate or dress impressively
To make something look very nice by decorating it or dressing it up.
- They decked out the hall for the ceremony.
- She was decked out in her finest dress.
full deck
1Complete set of cards or abilities
Having all parts needed; sometimes used humorously to mean mentally normal.
- He’s not playing with a full deck.
- Make sure you have a full deck before starting.
hit the deck
1Drop to ground quickly for safety/readiness
To fall or lie down quickly, usually to avoid danger.
- Hit the deck! There’s incoming fire!
- Everyone hit the deck when they heard the explosion.
stack the deck
1to arrange things unfairly
To arrange a situation in a secret or unfair way so that one person or group will win or get an advantage.
- The rules stacked the deck against smaller companies.
- The organizers stacked the deck by inviting only friendly journalists.
- They stacked the deck to ensure their team won.
- If you stack the deck, of course you're going to win.
- Critics say the new rules stack the deck against small businesses.