double-quick
C2Informal, slightly dated/idiomatic, with a military origin.
Definition
Meaning
Very quickly; at a high speed.
A figurative or hyperbolic description of extreme speed or urgency, often used as a command or emphatic adverb.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Derived from the military marching command/drumbeat tempo. Functions primarily as an adverb ('to do something double-quick') and as an interjection/command ('Double-quick!'). Less commonly used as an attributive adjective ('in double-quick time').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and recognised in British English, retaining a trace of its military heritage. In American English, it is understood but sounds distinctly British or old-fashioned; similar urgency is more often expressed with 'ASAP', 'pronto', 'lickety-split', or 'stat' (medical).
Connotations
In BrE: urgency with a slightly old-school, pragmatic, or no-nonsense tone. In AmE: often perceived as a quaint Briticism.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but higher relative frequency in BrE, especially in older demographics or specific contexts (e.g., journalism, historical fiction).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Imperative] Double-quick![Verb + Adverb] do something double-quick[Prepositional Phrase] in double-quick timeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in double-quick time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used humorously or emphatically in high-pressure situations ('Get that report done, double-quick!').
Academic
Virtually never used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Informal, used for humorous emphasis or to convey genuine urgency among familiar speakers.
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He double-quicked it down the lane when he heard the ice cream van.
adverb
British English
- Get over here, double-quick!
American English
- We need this fixed, double-quick.
adjective
British English
- The team made a double-quick decision to abandon the pitch.
American English
- She finished the task in double-quick time.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher said, 'Finish your work double-quick!'
- We need to get to the station double-quick or we'll miss the train.
- The software patch was developed in double-quick time following the security breach.
- The old sergeant major's bark of 'Double-quick, march!' still echoed in his memory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a soldier being told to do something 'at the double' (run) and 'quick' – combined, it means 'run even faster'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS MULTIPLICATION (doubling the quickness).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'двойной быстрый'. The correct conceptual equivalent is 'очень быстро', 'мгновенно', or 'срочно'. The military command 'быстрым шагом' is a partial functional equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a standard adjective before a noun without 'time' (e.g., 'a double-quick response' is less idiomatic than 'a response in double-quick time').
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase is 'double-quick' used most idiomatically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always hyphenated when used as a compound modifier or adverb (double-quick).
No, it is considered informal and slightly idiomatic. Use 'rapidly', 'immediately', or 'with great speed' instead.
It originates from British military commands in the 19th century, referring to a marching pace faster than 'quick time'.
Not a standard noun. It is used in the phrase 'at the double-quick' or 'in double-quick time', where 'time' is the noun.