rush

A hurried movement or a need to do something quickly.

• I am in a rush.
• There was a rush for the exit.
• Why the rush to finish today?

How to use it: a rush to do something (There was a rush to leave the building.)

Similar words: hurry, haste

Common phrases: in a rush, a rush to, morning rush

A sudden large increase in activity, people, or a feeling.

• We had a rush of orders.
• She felt a rush of excitement.
• Extra staff helped us cope with the lunchtime rush.

How to use it: a rush of something (The shop had a rush of customers after lunch.)

Similar words: surge

Common phrases: a rush of, adrenaline rush, lunchtime rush

A fast, often noisy movement of water, air, or similar things.

• A rush of air lifted the papers.
• We heard the rush of the river below.
• A sudden rush of footsteps broke the silence.

How to use it: a rush of something (We heard a rush of water behind the wall.)

Similar words: surge

Common phrases: rush of water, rush of air, rush of footsteps

To move quickly or take someone or something somewhere quickly.

• She rushed home.
• They rushed him to the nearest clinic.
• Can you rush these papers to our office?

How to use it: rush someone/something to somewhere (They rushed the injured driver to hospital.); rush to somewhere (I rushed to the station.)

Similar words: hurry, hasten

Common phrases: rush to hospital, rush someone home, rush to someone

To do something very quickly, often without enough care or thought.

• Do not rush your dinner.
• I rushed the report and made several mistakes.
• Are we rushing into this agreement?

How to use it: rush through something (Do not rush through the instructions.); rush into something (She rushed into a decision she later regretted.)

Similar words: hurry

Common phrases: rush a job, rush through something, rush into something

To flow or move forward with great speed, often making a lot of noise.

• Water rushed down the hill.
• Cold air rushed into the room.
• The soldiers rushed forward as the gate opened.

How to use it: rush into/out of/through something (Water rushed through the broken pipe.)

Similar words: surge, pour

Common phrases: rush past someone, rush down something, rush through something

Needing or done with great speed because there is little time.

• This is a rush order.
• We paid extra for rush delivery.
• The repairs were a rush job and soon failed.

Similar words: urgent, hurried

Common phrases: rush job, rush order, rush delivery