ASAP Meaning: How to Use It Correctly

Meaning 1：as soon as possible (ASAP)

ASAP 🔊

/ˈeɪsæp/

adv.

It means doing something in the shortest possible time, usually because it's very important or urgent.

ASAP urgency illustration with clock and stressed office worker

as soon as possible 🔊

➕

/æz suːn æz ˈpɑːsəbl/

adv.

Performing an action with the highest priority and minimal delay, typically due to an urgent deadline or situation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Acronym of 'as soon as possible'; each letter stands for a word in the phrase.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'ASAP = Act Swiftly As Possible' and picture a rocket launching right away.

📖 Example

The manager needs the report ASAP; he has a meeting in 30 minutes. 🔊 The manager needs the report as soon as possible; he has a meeting in 30 minutes.

🔗 Collocations

reply ASAP – respond as soon as possible

send the documents ASAP – transmit the documents without delay

ASAP deadline – a deadline requiring immediate action

🔄 Synonyms

immediately (adv.) – without any delay

urgently (adv.) – in a way that requires immediate action

right away (adv.) – instantly; at once

🚫 Antonyms

later (adv.) – at a subsequent time; not now

eventually (adv.) – at some point in the future; not urgently

at leisure (adv.) – without hurry; in one's own time

📖 Cultural Story

ASAP originated in military and business communication during the mid-20th century to signal extreme urgency, now widely used in emails and text messages.