quick march
C1Military, occasional informal/humorous
Definition
Meaning
A military command to begin marching at a brisk pace, or the brisk marching pace itself.
In a general, often humorous context, it can mean to start moving quickly or to leave promptly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun phrase denoting a specific marching speed or command. Can be used as a verb phrase in the imperative ('Quick march!') or descriptively ('they quick-marched').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used and recognized in UK/Commonwealth military contexts. In the US, 'double time' is a more frequent equivalent command for a fast marching pace.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly evokes formal drill and ceremonial occasions. In the US, it may sound specifically British or historical.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but higher within UK military and historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Imperative] Quick march![Verb + NP] The sergeant ordered a quick march.[Prep + NP] They moved off at a quick march.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Quick march! (as a command to hurry up or leave)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or military studies.
Everyday
Rare, except in humorous imitations of military commands ('Right, quick march to the shops before they close!').
Technical
Standard terminology in military drill manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The officer barked, 'Quick march!' and the column moved off.
- The guards were quick-marched across the square.
American English
- The drill instructor yelled, 'Double time!' which is analogous to 'Quick march!'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldiers began to march when they heard 'quick march'.
- Upon the command 'quick march', the platoon stepped off in perfect unison.
- He told his dawdling friends, 'Come on, quick march, or we'll miss the bus!'
- The ceremony required the troops to advance at a quick march, maintaining precise alignment and timing.
- The historian described how Napoleon's forces would often quick-march to outmanoeuvre their enemies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a QUICK soldier on the MARCH – it’s the fast walking pace used in parades.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY undertaken with URGENCY AND DISCIPLINE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'быстрый март' (fast March). The word 'march' here is related to 'маршировать' (to march). A closer conceptual equivalent is 'ускоренный марш' or команда 'шагом арш!'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a general synonym for 'run' (it's a disciplined walking pace).
- Confusing it with 'quick step' (a dance or a specific military pace).
- Using it outside of a command structure without clear context.
Practice
Quiz
In a non-military, humorous context, what might 'Quick march!' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used descriptively (e.g., 'they were quick-marched'), but primarily it functions as a noun phrase or an imperative command.
Both denote a fast marching pace. 'Quick march' is standard UK/Commonwealth terminology, while 'double time' is the more common US equivalent.
It would sound unusual unless you are deliberately using a military-style command for humorous effect to tell someone to hurry up.
In British drill, the quick march is typically 116-120 paces per minute, though this can vary by regiment and era.