Cool MateHurry up vs Make it fast vs Rush
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hurry up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Make it fast
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Rush
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most formal: RushMost common: Rush
| Hurry up | Make it fast | Rush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt fɑːst//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt fæst// | 🇬🇧 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Do something faster. | Do something quickly. | to move quickly or hurry |
| Example | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! | Can you make it fast? I have to leave soon. | I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left. |
| Register | Informal | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | ||
| Collocations | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to | make it quick, make it smooth, make it easy, make it happen, make it on time | headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue, headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue |
| Antonyms | - | - | slow, dawdle, linger |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. | Using it in formal situations where a more polite phrase is needed., Confusing it with 'make it quick' - they are similar but 'fast' implies speed and urgency., Adding unnecessary words, like 'please make it fast' sounds less urgent. | Incorrectly using 'rush' as a noun without an article when needed., Using 'rushed' as a present tense instead of the correct form., Confusing 'rush' with 'push' in the context of moving quickly. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. | Use 'make it fast' when you're asking someone to hurry up. This phrase is more casual and suited to informal conversations. Avoid using it in formal settings. | Commonly used when talking about a need to hurry, like catching a bus. Avoid in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hurry up vs Make it fast vs Rush
What's the difference between Hurry up, Make it fast, and Rush?
Hurry up: Do something faster. Make it fast: Do something quickly. Rush: to move quickly or hurry
Which is more formal: Hurry up, Make it fast, and Rush?
Rush is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hurry up, Make it fast, and Rush?
Rush 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! Make it fast: Can you make it fast? I have to leave soon. Rush: I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.
Can I use Hurry up, Make it fast, and Rush interchangeably?
Not always. Hurry up, Make it fast, and Rush 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.