on the double

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

on the double

1. (idiomatic) Rapidly or immediately.

   Fortunately, help arrived on the double, and the victim's injuries were soon treated.

   • 1963, “My Boyfriend's Back”, in My Boyfriend's Back, performed by The Angels:

     My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble. / You see him comin'; better cut out on the double.

   • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Therum:

     Liara: We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in!
     Shepard: Joker! Get the Normandy airbone and lock in on my signal. On the double, mister!

Related terms

• at the double
• double-quick
• double time

Translations

rapidly or immediately

• Dutch: in looppas
• Finnish: tuplavauhtia
• French: au pas de course (fr)
• Greek: τροχάδην (el) (trochádin)
• Icelandic: eins og skot (is)
• Irish: ar sodar
• Polish: w biegu