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in a rapid or immediate manner, typically used to indicate urgent action
What does "on the double" mean in military slang?
The structure is a prepositional phrase where "double" refers to double time, a quick marching pace of 180 steps per minute. It is used to indicate urgent action, meaning something must be done rapidly or immediately, often as a command to move faster or report somewhere without delay. People typically say "get here on the double" when speed is critical, whether in military drills, emergency responses, or even casual workplace urgency. The term originated in early 20th century United States Army jargon, derived from "double time" marching, and later spread into civilian language, police work, and action films.
