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on the double

on the dou·ble
O o

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [on, awn stressed th ee duhb-uh l]
    • /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði ˈdʌb əl/
    • /ɒn ðə ˈdʌbl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [on, awn stressed th ee duhb-uh l]
    • /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði ˈdʌb əl/

Definitions of on the double words

  • adjective on the double twice as large, heavy, strong, etc.; twofold in size, amount, number, extent, etc.: a double portion; a new house double the size of the old one. 1
  • adjective on the double composed of two like parts or members; twofold in form; paired: double doors; a double sink. 1
  • adjective on the double of, relating to, or suitable for two persons: a double room. 1
  • adjective on the double twofold in character, meaning, or conduct; dual or ambiguous: a double interpretation. 1
  • adjective on the double deceitful; hypocritical; insincere. 1
  • adjective on the double (of musical instruments) producing a tone an octave lower than the notes indicate. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of on the double

First appearance:

before 1175
One of the 8% oldest English words
1175-1225; Middle English < Old French < Latin duplus, equivalent to du(o) two + -plus -fold

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for On the double

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

on the double popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

on the double usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for on the double

adj on the double

  • alacritous — cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness: We accepted the invitation with alacrity.
  • asap — asap is an abbreviation for 'as soon as possible'.
  • barreling — a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides made of staves hooped together, and with flat, parallel ends.
  • barrelling — a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides made of staves hooped together, and with flat, parallel ends.
  • blue streak — anything regarded as like a streak of lightning in speed, vividness, etc.

adv on the double

  • any more — If something does not happen or is not true any more or any longer, it has stopped happening or is no longer true.
  • at once — If you do something at once, you do it immediately.
  • fleetly — swift; rapid: to be fleet of foot; a fleet horse.
  • hereupon — upon or on this.
  • immediately — without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once: Please telephone him immediately.

noun on the double

  • double-time — to cause to move in double time: Double-time the troops to the mess hall.
  • forced march — any march that is longer than troops are accustomed to and maintained at a faster pace than usual, generally undertaken for a particular objective under emergency conditions.

adverb on the double

  • expeditiously — In an expeditious manner.
  • hurried — moving or working rapidly, especially forced or required to hurry, as a person.
  • now — at the present time or moment: You are now using a dictionary.
  • nowadays — at the present day; in these times: Few people do their laundry by hand nowadays.
  • quick — done, proceeding, or occurring with promptness or rapidity, as an action, process, etc.; prompt; immediate: a quick response.

adjective on the double

  • expeditive — (obsolete) Performing with speed.
  • fast — moving or able to move, operate, function, or take effect quickly; quick; swift; rapid: a fast horse; a fast pain reliever; a fast thinker.
  • fleet — an arm of the sea; inlet.

interjection on the double

  • quickly — with speed; rapidly; very soon.

See also

Matching words

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