Quick Answer
“Hurry up” is a direct command telling someone to move or act faster. For more variety and politeness, try alternatives like “Please make haste,” “Let us get moving,” “Time is short,” “Speed things up,” or “We need to move quickly.”
“Hurry up” is one of the most direct phrases in English. People say it in kitchens, offices, airports, and classrooms whenever time is running short. It is short, forceful, and instantly understood. Because it is so effective in urgent situations, many learners rely on it constantly, even when a gentler or more professional tone would work better.
This guide offers 30 practical alternatives with meanings, examples, and clear notes on tone. You will also learn to express excitement in English when time pressure is positive rather than stressful.
Pull Quote: “Urgency and rudeness are not the same thing. The right phrase keeps both speed and respect intact.”
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “Hurry up”
- Please make haste.
- I would appreciate a quicker response.
- Kindly expedite the matter.
- Time is of the essence.
Pro Tip: Formal alternatives suit written correspondence, client communication, and official requests.
Casual alternatives
- Get a move on.
- Chop chop.
- Come on.
- Look alive.
Pro Tip: Casual options work with friends and family but can sound rude with strangers.
Professional alternatives
- Let us move this forward.
- Could we speed this up.
- We are working to a tight deadline.
- Please prioritise this request.
Pro Tip: Professional alternatives focus on shared goals rather than personal commands.
Informal expressions
- Shake a leg.
- Step on it.
- Get cracking.
- Move it.
Pro Tip: Informal expressions belong in spoken English and private messages only.
Pull Quote: “The right tone makes your English sound professional and confident.”
Common Mistakes
- Using “hurry up” with superiors.
Example: “Hurry up with the report” to a senior manager sounds disrespectful. - Forgetting to add “please” in polite contexts.
Example: “Hurry up, we are late” can feel like an attack rather than a request. - Overusing it in the same conversation.
Example: “Hurry up, hurry up, we need to go” becomes noise rather than motivation. - Using it for tasks that need care.
Example: “Hurry up with the surgery” is clearly inappropriate in any medical setting. - Mixing formal and casual register.
Example: “Dear Sir, chop chop, kindly respond” creates an awkward clash of tones.
What Does “Hurry Up” Mean?
Definition
It is an imperative phrase used to urge someone to act or move more quickly, usually because of time pressure.
Grammar Explanation
“Hurry” is a verb and “up” is a particle forming a phrasal verb. The phrase functions as a command and can be softened with “please” or replaced with polite requests in formal settings.
Example Sentence
“Hurry up, the train leaves in five minutes.”
When to Use “Hurry Up”
Common Contexts
- Everyday life: Getting family members ready to leave the house.
- Workplace: Pushing a team toward a deadline.
- Travel: Boarding a flight or catching a connection.
- Sports: Motivating players during a match.
- Emergencies: Reacting quickly to urgent situations.
Spoken vs Written
- Spoken: Extremely common in daily conversation.
- Written: Rare outside informal messages and dialogue.
Formal vs Informal
- Formal: Rarely appropriate; usually replaced by polite requests.
- Informal: The default choice in casual speech.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Hurry Up”?
Politeness vs Professionalism
“Hurry up” is direct and can sound impatient or commanding. In professional settings, it is usually replaced by phrases that frame urgency as a shared problem rather than a personal demand.
Business-Style Example
“We are working to a tight deadline, so I would appreciate a quick update on the figures.”
Polite? Sometimes, with a soft tone
Professional? Rarely appropriate as a direct command
Pull Quote: “In professional English, the deadline is the problem, not the person.”
Pros and Cons of Using “Hurry Up”
Pros
- Simple and natural: Easy to say and instantly understood.
- Friendly tone: Warm among close friends and family.
- Common usage: Universal in English speaking countries.
- Easy to understand: Requires no specialist vocabulary.
Cons
- Too informal for work: Can sound rude in professional settings.
- Overused: Loses impact through repetition.
- Limited emotional range: Cannot express polite urgency.
- Not suitable for formal writing: Avoid in reports, letters, and official emails.
Other Ways to Say “Hurry Up” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations. Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement, admiration, or approval.
1. Please make haste
Meaning: Please act quickly.
Explanation: Formal and slightly old fashioned.
Example Sentence: “Please make haste, the board is waiting for the proposal.”
Best Use: Formal requests
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, polite, traditional
Context Variability: Professional and written
2. Get a move on
Meaning: Start moving or working faster.
Explanation: Common in British English.
Example Sentence: “Get a move on, or we will miss the opening.”
Best Use: Friends, family
Worst Use: Formal emails
Tone: Casual, brisk, friendly
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
3. Chop chop
Meaning: Do it quickly.
Explanation: Playful but can sound commanding.
Example Sentence: “Chop chop, everyone, the bus leaves in two minutes.”
Best Use: Informal settings
Worst Use: Workplace
Tone: Playful, brisk, informal
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
4. Let us move this forward
Meaning: Let us make progress quickly.
Explanation: Professional and collaborative.
Example Sentence: “Let us move this forward so we can meet the Friday deadline.”
Best Use: Meetings, projects
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Professional, collaborative, purposeful
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
5. Time is of the essence
Meaning: Speed is critical to success.
Explanation: Formal and often contractual.
Example Sentence: “Time is of the essence, so please confirm by noon.”
Best Use: Legal, business
Worst Use: Everyday talk
Tone: Formal, serious, urgent
Context Variability: Professional and written
6. Shake a leg
Meaning: Move faster.
Explanation: Informal and slightly humorous.
Example Sentence: “Shake a leg, the taxi is outside.”
Best Use: Family, friends
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Informal, playful, brisk
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
7. Step on it
Meaning: Go faster.
Explanation: Common in driving and travel contexts.
Example Sentence: “Step on it, we are going to be late.”
Best Use: Travel, driving
Worst Use: Business emails
Tone: Urgent, informal, direct
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
8. Get cracking
Meaning: Start working quickly.
Explanation: British and energetic.
Example Sentence: “We have a lot to do, so let us get cracking.”
Best Use: Teamwork
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Energetic, informal, motivating
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
9. Speed things up
Meaning: Increase the pace of a process.
Explanation: Neutral and flexible.
Example Sentence: “We need to speed things up if we want to launch on time.”
Best Use: Projects
Worst Use: Personal commands
Tone: Neutral, practical, professional
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
10. Look alive
Meaning: Become alert and active.
Explanation: Energetic and slightly old fashioned.
Example Sentence: “Look alive, the clients arrive in ten minutes.”
Best Use: Team motivation
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Energetic, brisk, informal
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
11. Come on
Meaning: Move faster or try harder.
Explanation: Very common and versatile.
Example Sentence: “Come on, we do not have all day.”
Best Use: Everyday speech
Worst Use: Professional emails
Tone: Casual, urging, direct
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
12. Could we speed this up
Meaning: A polite request for faster progress.
Explanation: Softens the command into a question.
Example Sentence: “Could we speed this up, the client is waiting.”
Best Use: Meetings
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Polite, professional, calm
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
13. Please prioritise this request
Meaning: Treat this task as urgent.
Explanation: Professional and respectful.
Example Sentence: “Please prioritise this request, it affects the whole project.”
Best Use: Client emails
Worst Use: Family conversations
Tone: Professional, polite, direct
Context Variability: Professional and written
14. I would appreciate a quicker response
Meaning: Please reply sooner.
Explanation: Formal and polite.
Example Sentence: “I would appreciate a quicker response on this matter.”
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Friends
Tone: Formal, polite, firm
Context Variability: Professional and written
15. Kindly expedite the matter
Meaning: Please handle this quickly.
Explanation: Very formal and bureaucratic.
Example Sentence: “Kindly expedite the matter, as the deadline is approaching.”
Best Use: Official requests
Worst Use: Casual messages
Tone: Formal, official, distant
Context Variability: Professional and written
16. We need to move quickly
Meaning: Speed is required from all of us.
Explanation: Inclusive and team oriented.
Example Sentence: “We need to move quickly if we want to stay ahead.”
Best Use: Team leadership
Worst Use: Personal errands
Tone: Professional, urgent, inclusive
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
17. We are working to a tight deadline
Meaning: There is very little time available.
Explanation: Frames urgency as a shared constraint.
Example Sentence: “We are working to a tight deadline, so updates need to be fast.”
Best Use: Workplace
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Professional, factual, urgent
Context Variability: Professional and written
18. Move it
Meaning: Move faster.
Explanation: Blunt and commanding.
Example Sentence: “Move it, the doors are closing.”
Best Use: Emergencies
Worst Use: Workplace
Tone: Blunt, urgent, direct
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
19. Make it snappy
Meaning: Do it quickly.
Explanation: Informal and slightly cheeky.
Example Sentence: “Make it snappy, we have another appointment at noon.”
Best Use: Informal settings
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Informal, brisk, playful
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
20. Get the lead out
Meaning: Start moving faster.
Explanation: American and colloquial.
Example Sentence: “Get the lead out, we are already late.”
Best Use: Informal speech
Worst Use: Business writing
Tone: Colloquial, brisk, direct
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
21. There is no time to waste
Meaning: Every moment counts.
Explanation: Emphasises the seriousness of the situation.
Example Sentence: “There is no time to waste, the storm is approaching.”
Best Use: Emergencies
Worst Use: Routine tasks
Tone: Serious, urgent, dramatic
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
22. Let us pick up the pace
Meaning: Let us work faster.
Explanation: Collaborative and motivating.
Example Sentence: “Let us pick up the pace, we are behind schedule.”
Best Use: Teamwork, sports
Worst Use: Individual errands
Tone: Motivating, collaborative, energetic
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
23. I need this urgently
Meaning: The task is a high priority.
Explanation: Direct and professional.
Example Sentence: “I need this urgently, please send it within the hour.”
Best Use: Workplace
Worst Use: Casual requests
Tone: Direct, professional, urgent
Context Variability: Professional and written
24. Please do not delay
Meaning: Act without waiting.
Explanation: Formal and polite.
Example Sentence: “Please do not delay your response, the offer expires today.”
Best Use: Official correspondence
Worst Use: Friendly chats
Tone: Formal, polite, firm
Context Variability: Professional and written
25. On the double
Meaning: Immediately and quickly.
Explanation: Military in origin and brisk.
Example Sentence: “Get those documents on the double.”
Best Use: Command settings
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Commanding, brisk, formal
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
26. At once
Meaning: Immediately.
Explanation: Formal and authoritative.
Example Sentence: “Please respond at once, the situation is critical.”
Best Use: Official instructions
Worst Use: Friendly messages
Tone: Formal, authoritative, urgent
Context Variability: Professional and written
27. Quick as you can
Meaning: As fast as possible.
Explanation: Friendly and polite.
Example Sentence: “Send the figures over, quick as you can.”
Best Use: Workplace requests
Worst Use: Formal documents
Tone: Friendly, practical, polite
Context Variability: Casual and professional
28. Do not dawdle
Meaning: Do not waste time.
Explanation: Slightly old fashioned and gentle.
Example Sentence: “Do not dawdle, the ceremony starts in ten minutes.”
Best Use: Family, teaching
Worst Use: Business writing
Tone: Gentle, instructive, traditional
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
29. Get going
Meaning: Start moving or working.
Explanation: Direct and neutral.
Example Sentence: “Get going, or we will never finish on time.”
Best Use: Everyday speech
Worst Use: Formal requests
Tone: Direct, neutral, motivating
Context Variability: Casual and spoken
30. Time is running out
Meaning: There is very little time left.
Explanation: Creates urgency without commanding.
Example Sentence: “Time is running out, we need a decision today.”
Best Use: Meetings, deadlines
Worst Use: Relaxed settings
Tone: Urgent, neutral, professional
Context Variability: Professional and spoken
Pull Quote: “Professional reaction phrases work because they name the deadline, not the fault.”
Mini Quiz / Self-Check
- Scenario: You are emailing a supplier about a delayed shipment. Which fits best?
- A) Chop chop.
- B) Kindly expedite the matter.
- C) Move it.
- Scenario: You are motivating your team before a tight deadline. Which is most professional?
- A) Let us pick up the pace.
- B) Get the lead out.
- C) Look alive.
- Scenario: You are telling your child to get ready for school. Which is most natural?
- A) Please make haste.
- B) Get a move on.
- C) Time is of the essence.
- Scenario: Which phrase is the most informal?
- A) Step on it.
- B) Please do not delay.
- C) We need to move quickly.
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
| Please make haste | Formal, polite | Formal requests |
| Get a move on | Casual, brisk | Friends, family |
| Let us move this forward | Professional, collaborative | Meetings, projects |
| Time is of the essence | Formal, serious | Legal, business |
| Shake a leg | Informal, playful | Family, friends |
| Step on it | Urgent, informal | Travel, driving |
| Could we speed this up | Polite, professional | Meetings |
| Please prioritise this request | Professional, direct | Client emails |
| Let us pick up the pace | Motivating, energetic | Teamwork, sports |
| Time is running out | Urgent, neutral | Meetings, deadlines |
FAQs
1. What is a formal alternative to “hurry up”?
“Please make haste,” “Kindly expedite the matter,” and “Time is of the essence” are strong formal alternatives suitable for business and official correspondence.
2. How do I ask someone to hurry up politely in English?
Use phrases such as “Could we speed this up,” “I would appreciate a quicker response,” or “Quick as you can” to request speed without sounding rude.
3. Is “hurry up” rude in English?
It depends on tone and relationship. Among friends it is neutral, but in professional or formal settings it can sound impatient and commanding.
4. What can I say instead of “hurry up” in a workplace email?
“Please prioritise this request,” “We are working to a tight deadline,” and “I need this urgently” are professional alternatives that keep urgency without sounding harsh.
5. What is the difference between “hurry up” and “get a move on”?
Both mean move faster, but “get a move on” is more idiomatic and common in British English, often used among friends and family.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say hurry up gives you the ability to express urgency without losing politeness or professionalism. Whether you are motivating a team, nudging a supplier, or getting a family out the door, the right phrase keeps the pressure on the task rather than the person. These alternatives to hurry up help you move beyond one blunt command and into more flexible, fluent English.
Practise by rewriting one urgent message each day, from a work email to a quick text. Pay close attention to tone and audience, because the right phrase depends entirely on who is listening. With steady practice, these informal expressions in English and their formal counterparts will become part of your everyday fluency.
John Green is an American writer who contributes to QuickResponsess.com, creating clear and practical content on English grammar, vocabulary and everyday language. His goal is to make learning English simple, engaging and easy to apply.
