Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for P.D.Q.. Search instead for p q.
Synonyms

P.D.Q.

American  
Or PDQ

abbreviation

Informal.
  1. immediately; at once.

    You'd better get started P.D.Q.


pdq British  

abbreviation

  1. pretty damn quick

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of P.D.Q.

1870–75; p(retty) d(amn) q(uick)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Peter Schickele, an American composer whose career as a writer of serious concert music was often eclipsed by that of his antic alter ego, the thoroughly debauched, terrifyingly prolific and mercifully fictional P.D.Q.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024

Wang’s mellow-toned, if sometimes rhythmically ambiguous, performance of Bach’s sublime D Minor Partita led to the ridiculousness of the P.D.Q.

From Washington Post • Jul. 10, 2017

The group regularly collaborated with composer Peter Schickele, well known for his satirical projects involving the “discovered” works of the only forgotten son of the Bach family, a character he invented named P.D.Q.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2016

"We owe much of our inspiration to him," says Joo, who also notes Dudley Moore, Spike Jones and P.D.Q.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2012

Obey them P.D.Q. or turn over command to Chief Mate Murphy.

From Cappy Ricks Or, the Subjugation of Matt Peasley by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)