10 Ways to Say “Hurry Up” Politely

It happens all the time: You’re late for a meeting, or your train is leaving soon, and you need someone to move faster. The common phrase, “Hurry up!” can sound rude or aggressive, especially in professional or polite company. That’s why learning 10 ways to say “Hurry Up” politely is so important. This lesson gives you kind, helpful phrases to use when you need to speed things along without causing offense.

Polite Alternatives to “Hurry Up”

Here is a list of professional and casual phrases you can use instead of “Hurry up.” These options help you sound more patient and respectful.

Polite and Professional Options

These phrases are great for work, formal situations, or when you need to be very gentle.

1. Could we speed this up?
   • Meaning: A direct but respectful request to increase the pace. Use it in meetings or on a team project.
   • Example Sentence: “We only have ten minutes left. Could we speed this up so we can cover everything?”
2. We need to be quick.
   • Meaning: A simple statement of the current situation. It tells the other person that time is short.
   • Example Sentence: “The store closes in five minutes, so we need to be quick if you want to buy that shirt.”
3. Time is of the essence.
   • Meaning: A formal expression meaning that it is very important to do something immediately. Use this in serious situations.
   • Example Sentence: “If we want to catch the last bus, time is of the essence. Let’s go!”
4. Let’s move this along.
   • Meaning: A helpful and encouraging way to suggest moving to the next step or finishing a task faster.
   • Example Sentence: “We’ve spent a lot of time on this first point. Let’s move this along to the next item on the agenda.”

Casual and Friendly Options

Use these phrases with friends, family, or colleagues you know well. They are less formal but still more polite than “Hurry up!”

5. Chop-chop!
   • Meaning: A very short, informal, and playful phrase for “hurry up.” It is usually used with a smile or a laugh.
   • Example Sentence: “Come on, kids! Breakfast is getting cold. Chop-chop!”
6. We gotta run!
   • Meaning: A friendly way to say you are in a rush and need to leave immediately. “Gotta” is a common, short way of saying “got to.”
   • Example Sentence: “It’s 7:45 already! We gotta run or we’ll miss the start of the movie.”
7. Do you mind moving a little faster?
   • Meaning: A gentle question asking the person if they can speed up. This is much softer than a direct order.
   • Example Sentence: “It’s starting to rain now. Do you mind moving a little faster with the groceries?”
8. Can you hurry up a bit?
   • Meaning: Adding “a bit” to “Hurry up” makes the request sound less demanding and more acceptable. It is a good middle ground.
   • Example Sentence: “Dinner is almost ready. Can you hurry up a bit and set the table?”
9. Make it snappy.
   • Meaning: An informal and slightly demanding phrase, but still less aggressive than “Hurry up.” Use it when you need something done quickly, but in a friendly way.
   • Example Sentence: “The manager needs those reports now, so please make it snappy!”
10. In a minute, please?
    • Meaning: This is a gentle way to ask someone to finish what they are doing very quickly. It is a very polite choice.
    • Example Sentence: “The taxi is here. Get your jacket, in a minute, please?”

Phrases in Real-Life Dialogues

Here are some short conversations showing how to use these 10 ways to say “Hurry Up” politely in real English.

Dialogue 1: At Work (Polite & Professional)

• Sarah: I’m still checking the data for the final report.
• John: I see. The client meeting starts in five minutes. Time is of the essence. Could you send me the summary now?
• Sarah: Oh, of course. Sending it now.

Dialogue 2: Shopping (Casual & Friendly)

• Mark: Do you think this color looks good on me?
• Lisa: I think so, but we gotta run! The bus leaves in two minutes.
• Mark: Right, I’ll just buy it quickly.

Dialogue 3: Waiting for a Friend

• Aisha: I’m just putting on my shoes.
• Ben: Can you hurry up a bit? We’re already late to pick up our friends.
• Aisha: Okay, I’m ready now! Let’s go.

Quick Tips: When to Use These Phrases

Using these alternatives helps you manage the situation well. The context always changes the right choice.

• Formal Situations: Always choose phrases like “Could we speed this up?” or “Let’s move this along.” This maintains respect and professionalism, especially at work or in formal meetings.
• Informal Situations: With friends or family, a short, friendly phrase like “Chop-chop!” or “We gotta run!” is fine. The friendly tone is important here.
• Avoid Demanding Tones: Even with the alternative phrases, use a calm and polite voice. A polite phrase said with an angry voice still sounds rude. Remember, the goal is to find 10 ways to say “Hurry Up” politely. Your tone makes a big difference.

Try to use one of these new phrases today! It’s the fastest way to make your English sound more natural and fluent. You will find that people respond much better to a polite request than to a sudden demand. Keep practicing!