Hurry up vs Quit fuckin' around

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Hurry up

InformalTop 2,000 (common)

Quit fuckin' around

SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Hurry upMost common: Hurry up
 Hurry upQuit fuckin' around
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp//🇬🇧 //kwɪt ˈfʌkɪn əˈraʊnd//🇺🇸 //kwɪt ˈfʌkɪn əˈraʊnd//
MeaningDo something faster.Stop wasting time and get serious.
ExampleYou need to hurry up or we will miss the train!You need to quit fuckin' around and start studying for the exam.
RegisterInformalSlang
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocationshurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up toquit fuckin' around and focus, quit fuckin' around with excuses, quit fuckin' around already
Common mistakesOmitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity.Misinterpreted as less serious; the phrase conveys urgency., Incorrectly spelled or punctuated when written due to its informal nature.
Usage notesCommonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations.Used informally among friends or in casual situations; not appropriate in formal settings.

See it in real clips

Hurry up
Quit fuckin' around

Frequently asked questions: Hurry up vs Quit fuckin' around

What's the difference between Hurry up and Quit fuckin' around?

Hurry up: Do something faster. Quit fuckin' around: Stop wasting time and get serious.

Which is more formal: Hurry up and Quit fuckin' around?

Hurry up is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Hurry up and Quit fuckin' around?

Hurry up is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! Quit fuckin' around: You need to quit fuckin' around and start studying for the exam.

Can I use Hurry up and Quit fuckin' around interchangeably?

Not always. Hurry up and Quit fuckin' around 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.

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