Prepared, like one with hands in the till? (2,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
at the ready
'prepared' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'like one with hands in the till?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is found in the answer.
'one' could be 'the' (both can introduce a definite example of something) and 'the' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'aread' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for at the ready that I've seen before include "dipping hand in till?" , "on standby" , "Available for use in operating" , "Prepared for instant action" , "Poised for action" .)