Have you ever wondered what people mean when they say “ready or not” — especially in phrases like “Ready or not, here I come!” or “the ready or not ending”?
The phrase “ready or not” is common in both English conversation and entertainment — especially in movies, games, and stories. But many people get confused when they hear “ready or not ending” — thinking it means a grammar term, when in fact it can mean two different things depending on context:
- It can describe a phrase or idiom meaning “whether you are prepared or not.”
- It can also refer to the ending of the movie “Ready or Not” (2019) — a popular horror-thriller film.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What “ready” and “not ready” mean
- The difference between them
- How “ready or not” is used in daily life and media
- Real examples and common mistakes
- A simple grammar explanation anyone can understand
💡 What Does Each Word Mean?
Let’s break it down step-by-step.
✅ “Ready” Meaning
“Ready” means prepared, set, or willing to do something.
It shows you’re in a state to begin or take action.
Part of speech: Adjective (describes a person or thing)
Examples:
- I’m ready for my exam.
- Dinner is ready on the table.
- She’s ready to start a new job.
Simple story:
Imagine you’re packing for school. You’ve got your bag, lunch, and books. You’re prepared — that means you’re ready.
❌ “Not Ready” Meaning
“Not ready” is the opposite — it means unprepared or not yet ready to begin.
Part of speech: Adjective phrase
Examples:
- I’m not ready to leave yet.
- The team is not ready for the match.
- He was not ready to take responsibility.
Simple story:
If you forgot your homework or can’t find your shoes before school, you’re not ready!
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction — Real Stories or Just TV Myths?
⚖️ The Key Difference Between “Ready” and “Not Ready”
| Term | Meaning | When to Use | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready | Prepared or set to act | When you’re prepared for something | “I’m ready to go!” |
| Not Ready | Unprepared or still preparing | When you need more time or aren’t confident | “I’m not ready to perform yet.” |
Quick Tip 💡:
If you can start right now, use ready.
If you need more time, use not ready.
🚦 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Let’s look at some common mistakes learners make:
❌ Mistake 1:
“I am ready not for school.”
✅ Correct: “I am not ready for school.”
👉 The word not always comes before “ready,” not after.
❌ Mistake 2:
“She ready to go.”
✅ Correct: “She is ready to go.”
👉 Always use is/are/am before “ready” in correct grammar.
❌ Mistake 3:
“I’m ready or not sure.”
✅ Correct: “I’m not sure if I’m ready.”
👉 Don’t mix two opposite ideas in one phrase without connecting words.
🕰️ When to Use “Ready”
Use “ready” when you are:
- Prepared to start something
- Confident or willing to act
- Finished with your setup or plan
Examples:
- I’m ready to take my test.
- The food is ready to serve.
- We’re ready for the trip.
- She’s ready to talk now.
- The movie is ready to stream online.
💬 Tip: If something is complete and can start right away — it’s ready.
⏳ When to Use “Not Ready”
Use “not ready” when:
- You’re still preparing or need more time
- You’re nervous or unsure
- Something is incomplete or unfinished
Examples:
- I’m not ready to move out.
- The cake is not ready yet.
- We’re not ready for the meeting.
- He’s not ready to apologize.
- The project is not ready for launch.
💡 Memory Hack:
Add “not” before “ready” only when something still needs time or isn’t done yet.
🎬 “Ready or Not” — The Phrase and Movie Meaning
🔠 Phrase Meaning
The idiom “Ready or not” means “whether you are prepared or not, something is going to happen.”
It’s often used in a fun or challenging way — for example, in hide-and-seek:
“Ready or not, here I come!”
It can also mean life will move forward no matter what — even if you’re not ready.
Examples:
- “Ready or not, the exam starts tomorrow.”
- “Ready or not, the baby is coming!”
🎥 Movie Meaning: “Ready or Not Ending Explained”
In the 2019 movie Ready or Not, the ending shows the main character, Grace, surviving a deadly game played by her new in-laws.
The “Ready or Not ending” symbolizes being thrown into danger or change — even when you’re not prepared.
It connects to the idiom perfectly: life comes at you, ready or not.
🔁 Quick Recap: Ready vs. Not Ready
- Ready = prepared
- Not Ready = not prepared
- “Ready or Not” = something will happen anyway
- Always use am/is/are before “ready”
- Add not for the opposite meaning
- “Ready or Not” is also a famous movie and song title
🌍 Advanced Tips & Origins
- The word “ready” comes from Old English ræde, meaning “prepared or arranged.”
- In formal writing, use “prepared” instead of “ready” for a more professional tone.
- Example: “The report is prepared for review.”
- In texting or online chat, people might say “rdy” as a short form of “ready.”
- Saying “ready or not” can also mean accepting change even when unprepared — a common motivational phrase in English.
🧩 Mini Quiz: Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with ready or not ready:
- I’m __________ to start my new job!
- The dinner isn’t __________ yet.
- __________ or not, the exam begins now.
- She’s __________ to go to the party.
- He’s still __________ to face the truth.
(Answers: 1. ready, 2. ready, 3. Ready, 4. ready, 5. not ready)
❓ FAQs
1. What does “ready or not” mean?
It means something will happen whether you’re prepared or not — often used to express inevitability.
2. What is the difference between “ready” and “not ready”?
“Ready” means prepared, while “not ready” means unprepared or not yet prepared.
3. Is “ready or not” a phrase or a sentence?
It’s a phrase — often part of longer sentences like “Ready or not, here I come!”
4. Can I say “I’m ready or not”?
No, that’s incorrect. Say “I’m not ready” or “Ready or not, I’ll try.”
5. What does “Ready or Not ending” refer to?
It refers to the ending of the 2019 film Ready or Not, symbolizing facing situations even if you’re unprepared.
🏁 Conclusion
Now you know the difference between ready and not ready, and how the phrase “ready or not” fits into both language and pop culture.
Remember — if you’re prepared, say ready! If you’re still getting there, say not ready!
And in life? Sometimes things happen ready or not — so stay confident and keep learning English every day.
Kael Donovan is a language enthusiast and writer at Definevs.com, simplifying complex words and grammar rules into fun, easy-to-understand guides for readers.
