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on the double

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on the double

very fast; twice as fast as normal. (Originally military. Alludes to "double time" in marching.) Get over here right now—on the double! She wants to see you in her office on the double.

See also: double, on

on the double

very quickly Two doctors arrived on the double to treat the victims of the accident.

See also: double, on

on the double

Very quickly, as in You'd better get here on the double. This expression, also put as at the double, came from the military, where it means "double time"-that is, marching twice as fast as normally. [Early 1800s]

See also: double, on

on the double

mod. very fast; twice as fast. (Originally military. Refers to double time in marching.) Get over here right now—on the double! She wants to see you in her office on the double.

See also: double, on