- An acronym indicating that something needs to be done with high priority and urgency, at the earliest available moment.
Explanation
Origin
- Military and business jargon originating around the mid-20th century.
- Used to emphasize the urgency of a request or task.
- Widely adopted into general usage.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Like, yesterday! (Emphasizes extreme urgency humorously)
- Chop-chop! (Informal, somewhat dated, urging speed)
- On the double! (Military origin, meaning quickly)
- Haul ass / Move your ass (Vulgar, demanding speed)
More Formal/Polite:
- At your earliest convenience (Polite but can imply less urgency than ASAP)
- As soon as is feasible
- Promptly
Emphatic:
- Drop everything and do this!
Situational Appropriateness
- Common in business and informal contexts.
- Can sound demanding, especially from a subordinate to a superior, unless the situation clearly warrants urgency. Using at your earliest convenience is often more polite in formal settings or when less authority is held.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- While widely known, ensure the listener understands the level of urgency implied. Possible can be interpreted differently; sometimes specifying a deadline is clearer (by 5 PM today).
Examples
- Please send me the report ASAP.
- I need that fixed ASAP!
- Get back to me ASAP.
Dialogue
Boss: Sarah, I need the final sales figures on my desk ASAP. The VP is asking for them.
Sarah: Okay, I'm compiling them now. Should have them to you within the hour.
Boss: Great, thanks. Really need them ASAP.
Sarah: Understood.
Social Media Examples
- Customer Service Tweet: @[CompanySupport] My order #12345 is wrong! Need this fixed ASAP please!
- Team Chat: Hey @channel, the server is down. Need IT support ASAP!
- Freelancer Request: Client needs revisions back ASAP, please prioritize this project today.
Response Patterns
- Acknowledgement of urgency: Okay, I'll get right on it. / Will do. / Understood, working on it now.
- Request for clarification on deadline: Okay. By when exactly do you need it? / What's the absolute latest?
- Negotiation (if impossible): I understand it's urgent, but I have X to finish first. Can it wait until [time/day]?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The person making the request might follow up if they don't see action quickly (Any update on that task I asked for ASAP?).
- The person receiving the request might provide updates (Just letting you know I'm working on the ASAP request now.).
Conversation Starter
- No. Used within a request or instruction.
Intonation
- Spoken as the letters A-S-A-P or sometimes pronounced as a word, ay-sap.
- Often carries a sense of urgency, so the tone might be slightly stressed or sharp. A-S-A-P!
Generation Differences
- Universally understood, particularly in workplaces.
Regional Variations
- Universal in English-speaking regions.