'On the volley' definitions:

Definition of 'On the volley'

From: GCIDE
  • Volley \Vol"ley\, n.; pl. Volleys. [F. vol['e]e; flight, a volley, or discharge of several guns, fr. voler to fly, L. volare. See Volatile.]
  • 1. A flight of missiles, as arrows, bullets, or the like; the simultaneous discharge of a number of small arms. [1913 Webster]
  • Fiery darts in flaming volleys flew. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Each volley tells that thousands cease to breathe. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. "This volley of oaths." --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
  • Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (a) (Tennis) A return of the ball before it touches the ground. (b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball full to the top of the wicket. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
  • Half volley. (a) (Tennis) A return of the ball immediately after is has touched the ground. (b) (Cricket) A sending of the ball so that after touching the ground it flies towards the top of the wicket. --R. A. Proctor.
  • On the volley, at random. [Obs.] "What we spake on the volley begins work." --Massinger.
  • Volley gun, a gun with several barrels for firing a number of shots simultaneously; a kind of mitrailleuse. [1913 Webster]