straight away

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Immediately, with no delay at all after something else happens or is asked.

   Grammar: Goes after the verb phrase or at the end of the clause: call him straight away.

   Patterns

   • do something straight away
   • straight away after something

   Please call me straight away if there is a problem.

   I knew straight away that she was lying.

   He got up and left straight away.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   In a direct manner, in the first moments of an experience, as soon as you meet or see something.

   Grammar: Often used with know, like or notice: I liked him straight away.

   Patterns

   • notice something straight away
   • like someone straight away

   I liked the house straight away.

   You can tell straight away that the engine is damaged.

   She noticed the smell straight away.

Common combinations

leave straight away

If you leave straight away, you will catch the train.

reply straight away

I will reply straight away when the results come in.

know straight away

I knew straight away that the cake was burnt.

come straight away

The doctor will come straight away.

start straight away

We can start straight away if everyone is ready.

Synonyms and how they differ

immediately

Immediately is slightly more formal and works in both British and American English.

right away

Right away is the usual American form and feels a little more casual.

at once

At once can also mean all together, so it sounds more formal and can be ambiguous.

instantly

Instantly stresses that there is no gap at all, so it feels sharper than straight away.

Opposites

Word family

straightaway adverb

a one-word spelling of the same meaning

straight adjective

not curved

straightforward adjective

simple and clear

straighten verb

to make something straight

Commonly confused: straight away or straightaway?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “straight away”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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