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

Students need to understand that any unsubsidized portion of their loan will begin accruing interest right away — unlike the subsidized portion, where the government covers the interest while they are in school.

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“My mouth, right? I have to answer right away,” he said.

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“When he had a real mild fever and we medicated him right away, he acted normal. I actually was maybe looking at it with rose-colored glasses.”

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She knew it wouldn’t pay the bills right away.

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Rather than waiting until morning, when cooler heads may prevail, investors could jump into the fray right away.

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Related Words

• immediately