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

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."

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 notes

In 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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Test yourself on “Oscar Mike” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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'.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

on the move en route mobile

Related words

phone active mobile headed stable traveling variable smartphone

Rhymes for Oscar Mike

Ike bike mike Nike like dike hike pike alike spike strike unlike

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.

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phone active mobile headed stable traveling variable smartphone