I’ve heard “shovel ready” thrown around for a few years and finally decided to determine the best meaning for the phrase. Here are my contenders:
1. “Ready to be hit by a shovel.” For example, “that guy is such an ass that he is totally shovel ready.”
2. “Ready to be buried by a shovel, perhaps after being hit by a shovel.” For example, “that guy I hit with the shovel is now shovel ready.”
Feel free to add your own definitions. Winner might get a shovel. Or not. It depends on how ready the shovel is.
#2 is pretty good
“Shovel ready”, anything within striking distance of a shovel if the shovel is thrown, dropped, or swung.
Usage, “If he was a few feet closer to me, he’d be shovel ready”
“Shovel ready”, a term used to describe a project that is weeks or months from actually being started.
Or years…
“Shovel Ready” – legal term – when your opponent has spent thousands of dollars and countless hours constructing a massive steaming pile of bogus arguments, half-truths, innuendo, propaganda, and fabricated factoids, and moves to set the case for trial, counsel can claim that “This bullsh** is shovel ready.”
Bravely done.
“The Republicans and Democrats are shovel ready.”
Much like many of the posts presented here.
Bravely done, sir, bravely done.
Shovel Ready: a euphemism for referring to unemployed or work-seeking individuals.
E.g. Far too many people in Ohio consider themselves to be Shovel Ready.