double time

¹

noun

1. U.S. Army. the fastest rate of marching troops, a slow jog in which 180 paces, each of 3 feet (0.9 meters), are taken in a minute.
2. a slow run by troops in step.
3. a rate of overtime pay that is twice the regular wage rate.

double-time

²

[ duhb-uhl-tahym ]

verb (used with object)

, dou·ble-timed, dou·ble-tim·ing.

1. to cause to move in double time:

   Double-time the troops to the mess hall.

verb (used without object)

, dou·ble-timed, dou·ble-tim·ing.

1. to move in double time.

double time

noun

1. a doubled wage rate, paid for working on public holidays, etc
2. music
   1. a time twice as fast as an earlier section
   2. two beats per bar
3. a slow running pace, keeping in step
4. army a fast march of 180 paces to the minute

verb

1. to move or cause to move in double time

Word History and Origins

Origin of double time¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Origin of double time²

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

“If I need to make something from scratch, I need to work double time before I finish the product,” she explains.

From BBC

Whether she was running, talking, or pitching, she did everything double time.

From Literature

"So all of you people feel underused now, get a good night's sleep, because next year you're going to be working double time," he said.

From Reuters

He describes the song as akin to a “slow reggae” with “a double time and a half time all strung together in ballad form, kind of.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He was on track to graduate early, and now he is falling behind and will have to work double time just so he can still graduate.”

From Seattle Times