Definition

1. Adjective:

   • On combat alert / On combat-ready status: Describes a state of being on active duty and fully prepared for immediate combat or battle.
   • In direct combat: Pertaining to being actively engaged in or responsible for frontline fighting.

2. Verb (less common):

   • To be on combat duty / To stand combat watch: To perform the duty of being ready for immediate combat.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Các đơn vị phải luôn trong tư thế trực chiến. (Units must always be in a combat-ready status.)
  • Phi công đang trong thời gian trực chiến. (The pilot is on combat alert.)
• Verb:
  • Họ phải trực chiến 24/7 tại căn cứ. (They have to stand combat watch 24/7 at the base.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is strongly associated with military and defense contexts, implying a high state of readiness and vigilance against an imminent threat.
• It can describe not only personnel but also equipment, units, or command centers prepared for immediate engagement.

Variants and Related Words

• Trực chiến đêm (phr): Night combat alert.
  • Lực lượng tăng cường trực chiến đêm. (The force reinforced its night combat alert.)
• Tư thế trực chiến (phr): Combat-ready posture.
  • Duỗi tay tư thế trực chiến. (Assume a combat-ready posture.)

Synonyms

• Combat-ready: Prepared for immediate battle.
• On alert: In a state of watchfulness for danger or opportunity.
• On standby: Ready for immediate action.

Related Idioms

• Ăn, ngủ tại chỗ trực chiến: To eat and sleep at the combat duty post.
  • Mùa dịch, nhiều bác sĩ ăn, ngủ tại chỗ trực chiến. (During the pandemic season, many doctors ate and slept at their combat duty posts.)