Right away
Meaning
To do something immediately, without any delay or hesitation.
Origin
The phrase "right away" gained its crisp sense of urgency and immediacy in the bustling 19th-century United States, echoing the era's demand for efficiency and direct action. Here, "right" acts as a powerful intensifier, much like saying "right here" or "right now," pinning down the exact moment. And "away," while often implying distance, also carried an older sense of 'forthwith' or 'directly into action'—think "fire away" or "work away." Combined, they paint a vivid picture: not a moment to move away from the task, but to plunge right into it, without a single wasted second. It became the pithy, direct command for instant compliance, capturing the swift pace of a burgeoning nation.
Examples
- Could you please send that report to me right away?
- The doctor said we needed to get the patient to the hospital right away for emergency treatment.