on the double
21
3.7
- idiom
- Informal
- "The yard, soldier! The yard! On the double!"
- get there on the double
- go on the double
- move! on the double
Examples
-
When household emergencies confronted the poor, the aged, or the infirm, this crisis squad was geared to respond on the double.
Fiction book (1999) -
Starling: get to the west end of the island on the double.
Fiction book (1996) -
Then get down here on the double.
Fiction book (1991) -
Get to that factory on the double.
-
Report to the peace shield, on the double.
-
Bring up some timber, on the double!
-
Surround this place on the double!
-
Get those boxes cleared on the double!
-
Vincent, tell Kate I want her and Alex back here on the double.
-
You tell them to get over here on the double.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
At a fast speed or without delay
∞
1.0
At once without waiting
∞
1.0
Happening or done without any delay
915
1.0
Without any delay
356
1.4
In a very short time
310
1.0
Right away without any delay
237
1.0
Immediately without delay
75
1.0
Quickly and smoothly
25
5.6
Happen at once without delay
22
3.2
Without delay after something happens
19
3.5
Very quickly without delay
14
3.0
Immediately without delay
14
1.0
Do something at once without delay
11
7.3
In a quick and efficient way
7
7.7
To tell someone to hurry
6
2.4
To act quickly without delay
4
5.5
To act immediately and confidently without pausing
4
4.1
Very fast, without delay
4
7.0
Happens very soon
3
6.0
Very quickly and without hesitation
2
3.0
It happens very quickly with little effort
2
6.6
Immediately without any delay
2
8.5
Very quickly without delay
1
8.9
Very quickly and without delay
1
7.2
In a very short time
1
2.0
Happen very fast
Very quickly and in a hurry
Antonyms
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
There is a loose clue in 'double' (meaning 'twice' or 'faster') that could suggest increased speed, but the construction 'on the double' is idiomatic and its grammatical pattern ('on the' + noun) does not transparently yield 'immediately' for a B1 learner. The phrase is partially predictable from the component 'double' but is conventionalized enough that learners typically need exposure to learn the specific meaning.
Etymology
The phrase on the double comes from soldiers' orders to march in double time, a faster step where troops move quickly. That's why on the double now means 'very quickly' or 'at once'.