Cool MateHurry vs You better hurry your ass off
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hurry
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
You better hurry your ass off
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: HurryMost common: Hurry
| Hurry | You better hurry your ass off | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhʌri/","/ˈhʌriz/","/ˈhʌrid/","/ˈhʌriɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɜːri/","/ˈhɜːriz/","/ˈhɜːrid/","/ˈhɜːriɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː ˈbɛtə ˈhʌri jɔːr æs ɔːf//🇺🇸 //ju ˈbɛtɚ ˈhɜri jɔr æs ɔf// |
| Meaning | To go fast or make someone go fast. | You need to move quickly. |
| Example | You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus. | You better hurry your ass off if you want to catch the train! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hurry up, in a hurry, hurry home, hurry along, hurry to finish | better hurry, hurry your ass, hurry up |
| Antonyms | delay, slow, pause | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'hurry' with 'rush' in different contexts., Using 'hurry' without an object when one is needed., Mispronouncing 'hurry' as if it has two syllables. | 'Hurry up your ass off' is incorrect; 'better hurry your ass off' is preferred., Mixing up the order of words may lead to confusion., 'You better hurry' is also okay, but 'your ass off' adds emphasis. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hurry' when you need to act quickly. It's suitable for all types of communication but avoid it in very formal contexts. | Use this phrase in casual contexts to urge someone to be faster. It's not suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hurry vs You better hurry your ass off
What's the difference between Hurry and You better hurry your ass off?
Hurry: To go fast or make someone go fast. You better hurry your ass off: You need to move quickly.
Which is more formal: Hurry and You better hurry your ass off?
Hurry is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hurry and You better hurry your ass off?
Hurry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hurry: You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus. You better hurry your ass off: You better hurry your ass off if you want to catch the train!
Can I use Hurry and You better hurry your ass off interchangeably?
Not always. Hurry and You better hurry your ass off are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.