On deck

NEXTUP

Think of what a sports announcer might say when describing the following batter or player waiting their turn.

"On deck" is a phrase from baseball meaning the next batter is waiting to step up to the plate. The answer "NEXTUP" plays on this idea by breaking it down literally—"next" (meaning following) and "up" (as in ready or coming soon). It’s a straightforward clue where the baseball term hints at the answer’s meaning without any hidden tricks.