- Commands telling someone to increase their speed or start moving/acting more quickly.
- Used when there is a need for urgency or when someone is perceived as being too slow.
Explanation
Origin
- Hurry up: Very common phrase dating back to at least the mid-19th century. Hurry itself means to move quickly.
- Get a move on: Emerged in American English in the early 20th century. It's a direct encouragement to start or continue moving.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Haul ass. / Move your ass. (Vulgar, very direct and forceful command to move quickly)
- Get the lead out. (Dated slang meaning stop being slow/lazy)
- Scoot! (Telling someone to move quickly, often out of the way)
- Make tracks. (Means leave quickly)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Move your fucking ass!
Milder/Standard:
- We need to proceed more quickly.
- Could we perhaps speed up a bit?
- Time is getting short.
- Let's try to be prompt.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Hurry up is extremely common and generally acceptable in most informal situations.
- Get a move on is similar.
- Tone is crucial; they can sound impatient, demanding, or bossy.
- Avoid using these exact phrases to demand speed from superiors or clients; use more polite phrasing like Is there any way we can expedite this? or We have a deadline approaching.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The meaning is straightforward. The main nuance is the level of impatience or politeness conveyed by the tone of voice.
Examples
- Hurry up! We're going to be late for the movie.
- Come on, kids, get a move on, the school bus is coming!
- We need to get a move on if we want to finish this report today.
Dialogue
Parent: Jamie, breakfast is ready! Get a move on!
Jamie: *From upstairs* Coming! *Sounds of slow movement*
Parent: Jamie, hurry up! You'll miss the bus!
Jamie: Okay, okay! I'm putting my shoes on!
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Waiting for this download bar to finish... get a move on! ⏳ #impatient
- Group Chat: Meeting starts in 2 mins, hurry up ppl!
- Instagram Story Caption (showing someone running late): Running late as usual! Gotta get a move on! 🏃♀️
Response Patterns
- Compliance: Okay, okay, I'm coming! / Just a second! *Person speeds up*
- Excuse/Reason: Hold on, I just need to tie my shoes. / I'm going as fast as I can!
- Annoyance: Alright, alright! Don't rush me! / Chill out!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After telling someone to hurry:
- The speaker might check the time, reiterate the deadline (The train leaves in 5 minutes!).
- Start moving themselves as an example.
- Repeat the command if the person doesn't speed up.
The person told to hurry:
- Typically tries to move or act faster.
- Might provide updates on their progress (Almost ready!).
Conversation Starter
- No. A command related to speed and timing.
Intonation
- Usually said with a tone of urgency, impatience, or encouragement.
- Stress typically falls on Hurry or move.
- HURRY up! / Get a MOVE on!
Generation Differences
- Both phrases are timeless and used commonly by all generations.
- Some synonyms (Shake a leg, Chop-chop, Get the lead out) are distinctly dated.
Regional Variations
- Both Hurry up and Get a move on are common in all major English-speaking regions.
- Step on it is particularly American, often related to driving.
- Get cracking and Put your skates on are more common in the UK/Australia.