i högsta hugg

Swedish

i (“in”) +‎ högsta (“highest”) +‎ hugg (“strike/slash”)

held (high) in front of oneself (as if ready to strike)
Bonden kom springande med högaffeln i högsta hugg
The farmer came running, pitchfork in hand [with the pitchfork in highest strike/slash]
(figuratively) at the ready
Utanför domstolsbyggnaden väntade journalister med kamerorna i högsta hugg
Outside the courthouse, journalists were waiting with [the/their] cameras at the ready