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in short order

in short order

13 3.5
Very quickly without delay
  • idiom
translation icon : rápidamente
  • In short order, she'll wish that you had.
  • followed in short order
  • recovered in short order
  • got in short order

I think that we would forget about it in short order and find something else to replace that.

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Examples

  • After the meeting, he finished the report in short order and submitted it on time.

  • With a formal declaration of independence, the political situation of the Revolution transformed in short order.

    Academic text (2000)
  • I'll have you back to work in short order, my friend.

  • We'll be returning you to the Earth in short order.

  • Luke and the other men brought tools, and the roof was done in short order.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • First, the administration must deliver on its promises and do so in short order.

    Academic text (2003)
  • As it is now, I need to decide in short order between the two remaining Democratic candidates.

    Blog text (18)
  • In short order, sailors and soldiers had spread the dreaded disease around the world.

    Academic text (2018)
  • In short order, the virtual disappearance of surplus oil production capacity jolted the market.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The package arrived in short order, allowing us to begin the project ahead of schedule.

Synonyms

quickly
vsin short order
1.0

At a fast speed or without delay

is the idiomatic multiword form used to say the same idea casually
immediately
vsin short order
1.0

At once without waiting

is the multiword idiom used to mean the same thing
right away
vsin short order
960 1.0

Without any delay

is the multiword expression for speed without specifying manner
rapidly
vsin short order
446 1.4

In a very short time

is the phrase that stresses quickness often starting without delay
at once
vsin short order
344 1.0

Immediately without delay

is the idiomatic phrase used more in ordinary speech
instantly
vsin short order
330 1.0

Right away without any delay

is the general phrase for quick action without delay
as soon as possible
vsin short order
244 1.8

As quickly as you can without delay

is the everyday expression for speed rather than a timing request
overnight
vsin short order
201 2.0

Very quickly, in a short time

is the general phrase for speed without implying next day timing
in no time
vsin short order
174 1.3

Very quickly, in a short time

is the neutral phrase for speed, not stressing suddenness or drama
directly
vsin short order
163 1.0

Do something at once without delay

is the simple phrase used to mean fast action without intermediaries
promptly
vsin short order
98 2.1

Without delay or at the planned time

is the ordinary idiom for quickness, not necessarily punctual formality
swiftly
vsin short order
84 1.0

Quickly and smoothly

is the plain idiom for speed without highlighting smoothness of action
in a heartbeat
vsin short order
  • Informal
50 3.2

Right away without any hesitation

is the plain term for quickness without emotional decision emphasis
in the blink of an eye
vsin short order
  • Informal
50 3.3

Very quickly, in almost no time

is the normal phrase for fast action without that vivid image
hastily
vsin short order
49 3.5

In a quick, careless way

is the neutral phrase conveying speed without suggesting carelessness
in a flash
vsin short order
  • Informal
35 2.5

Very quickly in a single moment

is the broader phrase for quickness rather than suddenness
on the double
vsin short order
  • Informal
27 3.7

Very quickly and without delay

is the neutral phrase for fast timing rather than commanding urgency
instantaneously
vsin short order
25 5.6

Happen at once without delay

is the everyday phrase rather than this formal single word
expeditiously
vsin short order
11 7.3

In a quick and efficient way

is the ordinary idiom for speed without emphasizing efficiency aspects
in haste
vsin short order
9 2.8

Quickly and without careful thought

is the simple idiom for speed without the hurried or careless sense
straight off
vsin short order
8 3.0

Immediately without delay

is the typical phrase for speed without focusing on formality
straightaway
vsin short order
7 3.2

Without delay after something happens

is the common idiom meaning speed without extra emphasis
speedily
vsin short order
6 2.4

To act quickly without delay

is the casual phrase used for fast timing without technical tone
apace
vsin short order
  • Archaic
5 8.2

At a fast pace

is the common phrase for quick action rather than sustained rapid pace
like a shot
vsin short order
  • Informal
4 6.0

Very quickly and without hesitation

is the calmer phrase for fast action without force or intensity
in a snap
vsin short order
  • Informal
3 3.0

It happens very quickly with little effort

is the general way to say something happens fast without effort focus
post-haste
vsin short order
  • Formal
3 7.4

As quickly as possible

is the general expression for speed without stressing extreme urgency
pronto
vsin short order
  • Informal
1 5.6

Very quickly, without delay

is a neutral phrase for speed used in everyday contexts
in nothing flat
vsin short order
  • Archaic
1 7.0

In a very short time

is the everyday phrase for speed without that strong emphasis on brevity
nothing flat
vsin short order
  • Informal
1 8.5

Very quickly without delay

is the neutral way to express quickness without that vivid emphasis
soonest
vsin short order
1 1.0

As early as possible

is the general idiom for quickness without scheduling or prioritizing nuance
quick as a flash
vsin short order
  • Informal
1 2.0

Happen very fast

is the neutral expression for speed, not highlighting extreme brevity
straightway
vsin short order
  • Archaic
6.6

Immediately without any delay

is the casual phrase for quick action without formal tone
subito
vsin short order
9.9

Right away without delay

is the standard colloquial expression for doing something without delay
PDQ
vsin short order
  • Informal
8.9

Very quickly and without delay

is the full phrase commonly used to mean without delay
in jig time
vsin short order
  • Archaic
7.9

In a very short time

is the standard phrase for rapid action, not the playful idiom
in the snap of someone's fingers
vsin short order
  • Informal
5.0

Happens very quickly

is the plain term for speed without using that hand gesture image
with a quickness
vsin short order
  • Informal
7.2

In a very short time

is the neutral expression for speed without that colloquial tone
swifty
vsin short order
  • Informal
8.5

Happening very quickly

is the neutral phrase for speed rather than slang or colloquial use
sharpish
vsin short order
  • UK
6.5

Soon, without much delay

is the straightforward phrase for speed not implying approximate quickness

Antonyms

1.0

At a low speed without hurrying

How Quickly

immediately
1.0
in short order
13 3.5
quickly
1.0
soon
1.0
eventually
3.0

Surface Forms

in short order positive

Morphology

in + short + order

The sense 'very quickly/without delay' is partly derivable because 'short' evokes brief duration and the prepositional pattern 'in ... order' frames a temporal context; a learner who knows 'short' and basic prepositions may guess a meaning related to quickness. However, the role of 'order' is somewhat idiomatic (not literally a sequence) and the fixed phrase usage is not fully predictable, so comprehension is likely incomplete without prior exposure.

Etymology

In short order may come from a busy kitchen where a short-order cook makes quick dishes one after another so they are ready right away. That's why the phrase means 'very quickly'.