at the high port

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• phrase idiomatic, military, of a weapon held with two hands as in "port arms", but carried well above the head. The high port is often the position taught for running (at the double) or charging.
• phrase idiomatic, by extension sticking up; (of hair, etc) standing up at a marked angle
• phrase idiomatic, by extension held in front of the body, especially in an authoritative or aggressive way
• phrase idiomatic, slang, by extension at once, quickly; unhesitatingly, vigorously.
• phrase idiomatic Positioned ready for immediate use.