straight to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"straight to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of starting to do something quickly or immediately. For example, "When the boss arrived, I went straight to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ryan went straight to work.

The New York Times - Sports

Well it's straight to work then".

The Guardian - Money

That I went straight to work after university.

Independent

And we got straight to work that morning".

The Guardian

From Schenectady, New York, they rode the train up and got straight to work.

The Economist

They went straight to work when they arrived and they were extremely professional.

The New York Times

I don't even have an iPhone, but I borrowed one and got straight to work.

The New Yorker

We distributed some flyers, reviewed summer goals for the park, and then got straight to work.

Yale University

The shaman's visit was unbidden, but he got straight to work.

The New York Times

As soon as I arrive, I get the makeup kits out and I'm straight to work.

The Guardian - Money

Otherwise, get straight to work rolling it out of a lightly floured surface.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, "straight to work" can convey efficiency and a focus on productivity.

Common error

Avoid using "straight to work" when a more gradual or introductory approach is required. Ensure the situation calls for immediate action, or it might seem abrupt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "straight to work" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it describing the immediate commencement of activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "straight to work" is a common and correct way to express the immediate commencement of an activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the lack of delay. It's versatile, fitting for both professional and informal contexts, but should be used when immediate action is appropriate. While "straight to work" enjoys frequent usage in News & Media and Academia, alternatives like "begin working immediately" or "get down to business" can offer nuanced variations. Be mindful of the context to ensure your choice aligns with the situation's demands.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start work right away

Substitutes "straight" with "right away", emphasizing immediacy.

start immediately

A shorter, more direct way of saying to start right away.

begin working immediately

Replaces "straight to work" with a more descriptive and slightly more formal phrasing.

immediately start the task

Focuses on the task aspect and uses "immediately" for emphasis.

get down to business

Uses an idiomatic expression for starting work seriously and efficiently.

dive straight in

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression suggesting enthusiastic commencement.

jump right into action

Emphasizes the energy and immediate engagement with the activity.

commence work without delay

Employs formal language to convey the idea of starting work immediately.

go directly into working

Focuses on going directly and emphasizes the act of working.

launch directly into the work

Replaces 'straight to work' by more descriptive and emphasizes starting without hesitation.

FAQs

How can I use "straight to work" in a sentence?

You can use "straight to work" to indicate an immediate start to an activity, as in: "After the meeting, we went "straight to work" on the project".

What is a more formal alternative to "straight to work"?

For a more formal context, you could say "begin working immediately" or "commence work without delay" instead of "straight to work".

Is it always appropriate to use "straight to work"?

While "straight to work" is generally acceptable, it may not be suitable in situations requiring a more nuanced or gentle approach. Consider the context and audience before using "straight to work".

Can "straight to work" be used in both professional and informal settings?

"Straight to work" is versatile and can be used in both professional and informal settings, although it is slightly more common in professional or practical contexts. Alternatives like "get down to business" lean slightly more informal.