right away

adverb

1. without delay; immediately or promptly

Idioms and Phrases

Also, right off. Without delay, immediately, as in Can you bring our dinners right away? We're in a hurry, or We liked her right off. This idiom uses right as an intensifier and away in the sense of “at once,” the latter usage dating from the 1500s and surviving only in such phrases as this one and fire away. It was first recorded in 1818. Also see right off the bat.

Example Sentences

“So we’re making those investments even if high-speed rail doesn’t come here right away to improve those connections for constituents. That’s a good thing.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Yeah, with the referendum, they weren’t able to implement it right away. But did we give up? No, and look at where we are now.”

From Salon

“You may think you’ve got it right away and then the floor falls out,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

“He took that off the table right away.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I knew right away this was my assignment.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• immediately