Meaning & use
post-haste
Last updated
UK/ˌpəʊstˈheɪst/
US/ˌpoʊstˈheɪst/
Meaning
adverbnot comparableold-fashioned
As fast as possible, with no delay.
Grammar: Usually follows a verb of going, leaving or sending: left post-haste, sent post-haste.
Patterns
- leave post-haste
- go post-haste
- send something post-haste
The manager rushed post-haste to the airport.
She sent the documents post-haste once she heard the deadline had moved.
When the alarm sounded, they left the building post-haste.
Common combinations
- leave post-haste
- The guests left post-haste when the rain began.
- send post-haste
- The letter was sent post-haste to the capital.
- hurry post-haste
- He hurried post-haste to the station.
- come post-haste
- Come post-haste, the doctor is waiting.
- depart post-haste
- The thief departed post-haste through the back door.
Synonyms and how they differ
- immediately
- Immediately is plain and neutral, while post-haste sounds old-fashioned or humorous.
- hastily
- Hastily often suggests carelessness through rushing, but post-haste only stresses speed.
- at once
- At once is everyday English and simple, while post-haste adds a dramatic, old-style tone.
- pronto
- Pronto is a very informal, slangy word for quickly, so it is less formal than post-haste.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: post-haste or post-hoc?
post-haste vs post-hoc
Post-hoc means after the event, as in a post-hoc explanation. It has nothing to do with speed.
Practice
Which phrase is closest in meaning to post-haste?
Choose one answer.
Post-haste means with great speed and no delay, like at once. At last means finally, and at length means for a long time.
Make it your own
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