If someone is poised to do something, they are ready to take action at any moment. Britain was poised to fly medical staff to the country at short notice US forces are poised for a massive air, land and sea assault
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action; "a gull in poised flight"; "George's poised hammer
If a part of your body is poised, it is completely still but ready to move at any moment. He studied the keyboard carefully, one finger poised