be armed and ready to shoot; carry loaded rifles;have one’s finger on the trigger; with loaded rifles (/guns)
❍ 重要的马路和街道忽然密布了～的武装岗哨。(杨沫《青春之歌》61)The main roads and streets were heavily policed by soldiers with loaded rifles.
荷枪实弹hè qiānɡ shí dàn
荷：扛、担；实：充实、放满。扛着枪，子弹上了膛。比喻高度戒备，随时准备战斗。with loaded guns, carry rifles loaded with bullets, carry a loaded rifle