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

See Examples For:

on the double

“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

From the dugout, Ebel immediately noticed Betts’ comfort-level on the double play, when he snared a one-hopper, ran to second himself and leaped over a sliding Cody Bellinger to make a throw to first base.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2023

That seemingly left the 26-year-old outfielder plenty of time to tack on the double that would enable him to join Hall of Fame members Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. in the Orioles record book.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 22, 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

Bull ordered his son to dress on the double, to meet him at a muster formation in the kitchen, or be put on report.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy