Have you ever found yourself lost in the linguistic jargon of British slang? Or perhaps you’re a lover of British culture looking to expand your lingo?
Regardless of your motivation, this article will open the door to 20 entertaining and colourful British slang expressions related to hastening or “Hurry Up”.
By the end of this read, you’ll be rattling off these colloquialisms with the best of them!
20 British Slang For Hurry Up
Below are the 20 most used British slang for Hurry Up:
1. Get A Move On:
This phrase is common in many parts of the UK. It implies the necessity to accelerate your pace or act more quickly. If you’ve been dilly-dallying around and someone tells you to “get a move on”, it means they want you to speed things up.
Example: We’ll be late for the movie if you don’t get a move on!
2. Chop Chop:
Of Chinese origin but adopted by the Brits, “chop chop” communicates urgency. Often used in a playful manner, it’s a command that means ‘quickly, hurry up’.
Example: Chop chop, kids! The school bus is almost here.
3. Bob’s Your Uncle:
A quintessentially British saying, this phrase is generally used to conclude a set of instructions. While it doesn’t directly imply speeding up, it nudges the listener to finish their task so that “Bob’s your uncle,” i.e., ‘there you have it’.
Example: Just put the key in the lock, turn it, and Bob’s your uncle, we’re in.
4. On Your Bike:
In Britain, if someone tells you to get “on your bike”, it’s directive to hurry up and go away, usually with a bit of an irritated tone.
Example: Quit dawdling around and get on your bike; we haven’t got all day!
5. Shake A Leg:
This saying comes from the naval tradition of shaking a leg out of a hammock to show you’re awake. Now, it means to quicken your pace.
Example: Shake a leg, mate! The match is about to start.
6. Speed It Up:
An easy-to-understand phrase, “speed it up” means precisely that – increase your speed.
Example: If we don’t speed it up, we’re going to miss the train.
7. Make Tracks:
This is a fun way to say ‘depart quickly’ or ‘get going’.
Example: We’d better make tracks if we want to catch the last bus home.
8. Buckle Up:
While this phrase is commonly used for fastening seat belts, in British slang, it also implies preparing for fast or intense activity.
Example: We have a lot to do today, so buckle up!
9. Step On It:
If you’re in a car and the driver is told to “step on it”, it means to drive faster.
Example: Step on it, John! We’re running late.
10. Quick March:
Derived from military parlance, “quick march” is a light-hearted order to move faster.
Example: Quick march, soldiers! We need to reach the camp before sundown.
11. Rally Your Boots:
A lesser-known phrase, “rally your boots” encourages swift action.
Example: We’re short on time. Rally your boots, and let’s get this done.
12. Time’s A-Wasting:
This phrase stresses the importance of time and urges you not to waste it.
Example: Time’s a-wasting. We need to finish this project today.
13. Hop To It:
To “hop to it” is to start working on something quickly.
Example: There’s a lot of work to do, so let’s hop to it!
14. Belt Up:
Belt up can mean to hurry up, or to be quiet and get moving.
Example: Belt up, lads. We need to finish before the boss arrives.
15. Jolly Well Hurry:
This is a more polite and very British way of asking someone to hurry up.
Example: I do wish you would jolly well hurry, or we’ll miss the curtain raise.
16. Hightail It:
To “hightail it” is to move at full speed or flee rapidly.
Example: We saw the guards coming and hightailed it out of there.
17. Hotfoot It:
Similar to “hightail it,” to “hotfoot it” means to go somewhere as fast as you can.
Example: Once we were done with our chores, we hotfooted it to the beach.”
18. Put Your Foot Down:
Another car-related phrase, “put your foot down” means to accelerate or insist on something.
Example: If we’re going to make it to the station in time, you’ll need to put your foot down.
19. Crack On:
This is an encouragement to continue working at a fast pace.
Example: We’re behind schedule on this job, so let’s crack on!
20. Get Your Skates On:
This is a lively way of telling someone to speed up. It suggests a sense of urgency.
Example: Get your skates on! We’ve only got ten minutes till the train leaves.
We hope this peek into the world of British slang has been enlightening and entertaining. The next time you’re in a rush, you’ll know just the phrase to use to communicate that urgency with a British twist.
After all, who wouldn’t love to add a dash of charming British flair to their everyday conversations?
Remember, language is not merely a tool for communication but also a way to understand culture and history. Enjoy using these 20 British slang phrases for “hurry up”!
