Cool MateBe quick about it vs Hurry up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Be quick about it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Hurry up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Be quick about it | Hurry up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //biː kwɪk əˈbaʊt ɪt//🇺🇸 //bi kwɪk əˈbaʊt ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// |
| Meaning | Do something fast. | Do something faster. |
| Example | You need to be quick about it if you want to catch the bus. | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | be quick about it, be quick to act, be quick at responding | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to |
| Common mistakes | Using 'be quick about it' in a formal setting., Misplacing the phrase in sentences, making it unclear., Confusing with 'be quick to respond', which has a different meaning. | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations when you want someone to hurry. Avoid in formal situations. | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Be quick about it vs Hurry up
What's the difference between Be quick about it and Hurry up?
Be quick about it: Do something fast. Hurry up: Do something faster.
Can you show an example of each?
Be quick about it: You need to be quick about it if you want to catch the bus. Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train!
Can I use Be quick about it and Hurry up interchangeably?
Not always. Be quick about it and Hurry up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.