right away

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right away (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Very soon; quickly; immediately.

   This item is urgent, so please start on it right away.

2. (dated) The traditional call to the driver of a train or other conveyance intimating that it is safe to move off immediately.
   • 1945 January and February, “Notes and News: American Locomotives in France”, in Railway Magazine, page 46:

     The locomotive was the now inevitable American 2-8-0, No. 2623. There she stood, effectively blocking the level crossing, simmering gently, massively inert. It was almost dark, and one's final sight was of her high, firelit cab, the enginemen nonchalantly leaning out, waiting for the right-away, while impatient road convoys piled up on both sides of the crossing.

• right-away signal