right away, right off, fire away, right off the bat

‘Pass This Bill Right Away,’ He Says of $447 Billion Package

By MARK LANDLER

President Obama challenged lawmakers in a blunt address to enact a sweeping package of tax cuts and new spending designed to revive the stagnant job market.

right away

Also, right off. Without delay, immediately, as in Can you bring our dinners right away? We're in a hurry, or We liked her right off. This idiom uses right as an intensifier and away in the sense of "at once," the latter usage dating from the 1500s and surviving only in such phrases as this one and fire away. It was first recorded in 1818. Also see right off the bat.

fire away

Start to talk or ask questions. For example, You've got more questions? Well, fire away. This expression originated in the 1600s as a military command to discharge firearms and was being transferred to other actions by the late 1700s. Also see fire off.


right off the bat
Instantly, immediately, as in I can't tell you how many right off the bat, but I can find out. This term alludes to a baseball being hit by a bat. [First half of 1900s]