phrase
Oscar Mike
OS-kuh MYKE
Oscar Mike (phrase) means Military radio slang for 'on the move' — meaning a unit has left its position and is now travelling. It is formed from the NATO phonetic alphabet words for the letters O and M. Example: “Bravo team is Oscar Mike, ETA ten minutes.”
phrase
1
military slang Military radio slang for 'on the move' — meaning a unit has left its position and is now travelling. It is formed from the NATO phonetic alphabet words for the letters O and M.
"Bravo team is Oscar Mike, ETA ten minutes."
"We were Oscar Mike before first light."
2
informal By extension, used loosely to mean setting off or getting going.
"Right, bags in the car — we're Oscar Mike."
How to use Oscar Mike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWe're on the move.
When to use it
Military slang, widely recognised through films and video games. Both words are capitalised.
Memory tip
The phonetic alphabet spells initials, not sounds: Oscar Mike = O.M. = on the move.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Charlie Mike
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Bravo Zulu
Common pairings
we're Oscar Mike
get Oscar Mike
Oscar Mike in five
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Bravo team is _____, ETA ten minutes.
Etymology
From the NATO phonetic alphabet, where Oscar stands for O and Mike for M, spelling out the initials of 'on the move'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Oscar Mike
See all rhymes for Oscar Mike →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Oscar Mike and Charlie Mike?
Oscar Mike means on the move — you have departed and are travelling. Charlie Mike stands for 'continue mission' and means press on with the task despite what has just happened. They are built the same way but say different things.
Why say Oscar Mike instead of just 'on the move'?
Phonetic alphabet words were chosen to stay intelligible over noisy, distorted radio. Two clear three- and four-letter words carry far better than a mumbled phrase, and the habit carried over into ordinary speech among service personnel and veterans.
What is the meaning of Oscar Mike?
"Oscar Mike" (phrase) means military radio slang for 'on the move' — meaning a unit has left its position and is now travelling. It is formed from the NATO phonetic alphabet words for the letters O and M.
What is another word for Oscar Mike?
Other words for "Oscar Mike" include on the move, en route, mobile.
