on the double

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

“It portrays the work on the double helix, the solving of the double helix, as the work of four equal contributors,” Dr. Comfort said.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2023

Matt Olson, who led off the seventh with a walk, scored from first base on the double.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2022

There are considerable amounts of people, particularly on the double vaccination front, that are very sceptical about it, have not yet bought into it.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2021

“I said, ‘Ooh, I play jazz on the double bass,’ and he thought I meant in an amateur way.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2021

With a score of Guerrilla Shrews in their wake the two companions set off for Mossflower on the double.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques