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• double time
  double time

  noun

  the fastest rate of marching troops, a slow jog in which 180 paces, each of 3 feet (0.9 meters), are taken in a minute.
• double-time
  double-time

  verb (used with object)

  to cause to move in double time.

double time

¹ American  

noun

1. U.S. Army. the fastest rate of marching troops, a slow jog in which 180 paces, each of 3 feet (0.9 meters), are taken in a minute.

2. a slow run by troops in step.

3. a rate of overtime pay that is twice the regular wage rate.

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double-time ² American  

[duhb-uhl-tahym] / ˈdʌb əlˌtaɪm /

verb (used with object)

double-timed, double-timing

1. to cause to move in double time.

   Double-time the troops to the mess hall.

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verb (used without object)

double-timed, double-timing

1. to move in double time.

double time British  

noun

1. a doubled wage rate, paid for working on public holidays, etc

2. music

   1. a time twice as fast as an earlier section

   2. two beats per bar

3. a slow running pace, keeping in step

4. army a fast march of 180 paces to the minute

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verb

1. to move or cause to move in double time

Etymology

Origin of double time¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Origin of double-time²

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

They can include time-and-a-half or double time, testing in a separate room to reduce distractions or having unlimited breaks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

“If I need to make something from scratch, I need to work double time before I finish the product,” she explains.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2024

"So all of you people feel underused now, get a good night's sleep, because next year you're going to be working double time," he said.

From Reuters • Nov. 15, 2023

“He was on track to graduate early, and now he is falling behind and will have to work double time just so he can still graduate.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

They marched up the hill, Agnes tripping along double time to keep up with Gilly’s exaggerated strides.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson