on the double
27
3.7
- idiom
- Informal
:
enseguida
- "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
960
1.0
Without any delay
446
1.4
In a very short time
344
1.0
Immediately without delay
330
1.0
Right away without any delay
163
1.0
Do something at once without delay
130
1.0
Happening or done without any delay
84
1.0
Quickly and smoothly
25
5.6
Happen at once without delay
13
3.5
Very quickly without delay
11
7.3
In a quick and efficient way
10
7.7
To tell someone to hurry
8
3.0
Immediately without delay
7
3.2
Without delay after something happens
6
2.4
To act quickly without delay
4
6.0
Very quickly and without hesitation
3
5.5
To act immediately and confidently without pausing
3
7.0
Happens very soon
3
3.0
It happens very quickly with little effort
1
8.5
Very quickly without delay
1
2.0
Happen very fast
Immediately without any delay
Very quickly and without delay
Very fast, without delay
Very quickly and in a hurry
In a very short time
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'.