on the double
Move it, soldier!
On the double means quickly or immediately, originally military slang for double-time marching pace.
It functions as a command or urgent request: Get those reports to my desk on the double.
The phrase conveys that delay is unacceptable—something needs to happen right now.
- prontoWithout any delay
- right awayWithout pause or delay
- chop-chopUrgent command for speed
- ASAPUrgently, in shorthand
- posthasteWith maximum urgency
stat · hurry up · step on it · quickly · rapid · at once · make it snappy · swift · lickety-split · shake a leg · expeditious · toot sweet · forthwith · tout de suite · march · immediate · fast · command
- hurry uphurry, hurry up, rush, hustle, move it
- Speed Expressionsin a flash, quick as a flash, in no time, lickety-split, lickety split
- urgencyurgent, urgently, emergency, ASAP, stat
- exasperationugh, sigh, groan, argh, geez
speed/urgency
on the doubleleisurely
Done without urgency
at a snail's pace · slowly · unhurriedly · gradually · eventually
double, doubled, doubling, doubly, redouble, redoubled, redoubling, double-time, doublespeak