LingvoCore.com

double time

B2
UK/ˌdʌb.l̩ ˈtaɪm/US/ˌdʌb.l̩ ˈtaɪm/

Business/Technical (work); Informal/Technical (music/military); Informal (general speech).

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A rate of pay equal to twice the normal rate, typically for working overtime, on holidays, or in special circumstances.

A fast marching pace; a brisk tempo in music; a slang term for rushing or moving quickly.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a noun phrase. Its dominant meaning is financial/compensation-related (wages). In military/music contexts, it's a specific technical term for a tempo/pacing. Informal use as a verb ('to double-time') means to hurry.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Both use 'double time' for pay and music. In a military context, 'double time' is the standard US term for a running march; UK forces commonly use 'at the double' for the same action.

Connotations

In work contexts, it universally connotes desirable extra pay. In informal speech, 'to double-time it' slightly more common in US than UK.

Frequency

Higher frequency in US due to more common discussion of overtime pay structures and military terminology in general media.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
payrateovertimeholidayearnget paid
medium
marchtempoworkhourson Sundays
weak
rushhurrymovequickly

Grammar

Valency Patterns

to be on double timeto earn double timeto pay double timeto work double timeto march in double time

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

time and a half (1.5x)penalty rates

Neutral

double payovertime rateextra pay

Weak

bonus paypremium pay

Vocabulary

Antonyms

standard ratebase paysingle timeslow marchhalf time

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “at the double (UK, hurry up)”
  • “make double time (move quickly)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

'The contract stipulates double time for all hours worked on public holidays.'

Academic

Rare in formal academia except in labour economics or musicology papers.

Everyday

'If I have to work Christmas Day, at least I'll get double time.' 'We'll have to double-time it to catch the bus.'

Technical

'The section modulates and shifts to double time, doubling the perceived pulse.' 'The platoon advanced across the field at double time.'

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • We'll need to double-time it to the station.
  • He was double-timing across the parade ground.

American English

  • We'd better double-time if we want to finish on schedule.
  • The squad double-timed to the next checkpoint.

adverb

British English

  • They marched double-time.
  • Play the chorus double-time for effect.

American English

  • Let's move double-time, people!
  • The song goes double-time after the bridge.

adjective

British English

  • She received a double-time payment for Boxing Day.
  • The double-time march was exhausting.

American English

  • He's eligible for double-time wages after 12 hours.
  • The drummer launched into a double-time groove.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • On holidays, my dad gets more money. It is called double time.
B1
  • If you work on a national holiday, the company pays you double time.
B2
  • The union negotiated double time for all overtime work performed at weekends.
C1
  • The conductor's decision to take the finale double time infused the piece with a frenetic, exhilarating energy.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: DOUBLE your pay for your TIME worked. Or, DOUBLE the speed of TIME passing (moving fast).

Conceptual Metaphor

TIME IS MONEY (pay context); FAST IS UP / INCREASED (tempo/marching context: double the pace = double the time unit value).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not translate as 'двойное время' for pay—this is not idiomatic. Use 'двойная ставка' or 'удвоенная оплата'. For music/marching, 'в два раза быстрее' or 'ускоренный темп' is better.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'double time' as an adjective before a noun without a hyphen (e.g., 'double time pay' should be 'double-time pay'). Confusing it with 'time and a half' (1.5x pay).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Because the project was behind schedule, the manager asked the team to to meet the deadline.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'double time' LEAST likely to be used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. 'Overtime' is time worked beyond normal hours. 'Double time' is a specific rate of pay (twice the normal rate) often paid for overtime under certain conditions (e.g., holidays).

Yes, informally. 'To double-time' means to move or work very quickly, e.g., 'We'll have to double-time to finish this.'

'Time and a half' means 1.5 times the normal pay rate. 'Double time' means 2 times the normal rate. Double time is typically for less common, more premium hours (e.g., major holidays).

Mostly yes, for pay and music. The key difference is in military/pacing commands: US 'double time' = UK 'at the double' or 'on the double'.