Right Away – Meaning and Examples
When your boss says, “I need this report right away,” what should you do? You should start immediately! The idiom right away means to do something without any delay. It is a very common and useful phrase for urgent situations. Learning this will help you respond quickly and understand important requests.
What Does “Right Away” Mean?
“Right away” means immediately, instantly, or without any waiting. It emphasizes that something needs to happen now.
Think of it like this: A fire alarm rings. You leave the building right away. There is no time to wait or think about it.
Remember, it is not for actions that can wait. It is for things that need your immediate attention.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in many urgent or important situations.
- At Work: “Please send that email right away.”
- At Home: “Come inside right away, it’s starting to rain!”
- In Public: “The doctor will see you right away.”
The tone is often urgent but can also be polite. It works in both informal and formal conversations.
Example Sentences
- I’ll be there right away.
- She knew right away that she had made a mistake.
- Please start your homework right away.
- He called the ambulance right away after the accident.
Mini Dialogue
Customer: “Excuse me, my soup is cold.”
Server: “I’m so sorry about that. I’ll bring you a hot one right away.”
Customer: “Thank you.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “right away” with “soon.” “Soon” means in a short time from now, but “right away” means immediately.
❌ Don’t say: “I will do my homework right away,” and then start in one hour.
✅ Do say: “I will do my homework right away,” and then start immediately.
Practice Tip
The next time someone asks you for a small favor, respond with “right away.” For example, if someone asks for a glass of water, say, “Sure, I’ll get it right away.”
Final Note
This is a powerful phrase for showing that you are responsive and reliable. Use it to show you understand the urgency of a situation. You will sound more confident and natural in your conversations!
