Lesson

24 Hours or Less

Vocabulary for short time periods

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What does "24 Hours or Less" mean?

"24 hours or less" refers to tasks, responses, or deliveries that must be completed within a one-day timeframe. In business English, this phrase signals urgency and a short turnaround time.

  • Use to set a clear deadline counted from a specific time (e.g., receipt of a message or order).
  • Common in customer service, logistics, and internal requests.
  • Can be replaced by phrases like "within 24 hours," "24-hour turnaround," or "same day" depending on context.

Table

Common time-sensitive phrases (fast → less fast)

Phrase Meaning Example
within 24 hours Completed at any point during the next 24 hours from now Please confirm the booking within 24 hours.
24-hour turnaround Work or process finished within 24 hours We offer a 24-hour turnaround on urgent reports.
same day Completed before the end of the same calendar day Same-day delivery is available for local orders.
by end of day (EOD) Completed by the close of business that day (specify time zone) Submit the invoice by EOD.
overnight Sent or delivered during the night for arrival the next morning We will ship overnight to meet the deadline.
next business day Completed on the next working day (excludes weekends/holidays) If you order now, it will arrive next business day.
ASAP As soon as possible — urgent but vague without a specific timeframe Please review this document ASAP.
rush / express Priority handling to speed up processing or delivery Select 'express' shipping at checkout for faster delivery.

Tip

Choosing the right phrase

Select the phrase that matches the level of urgency and clarity required:

  • "within 24 hours" — precise period starting from a reference moment (good for confirmations).
  • "24-hour turnaround" — used for services or processing times (good for guarantees).
  • "by end of day (EOD)" — less precise; always specify time and time zone in international contexts.
  • "overnight" or "next business day" — good for shipping but consider weekends and holidays.

When you need absolute clarity, add a date/time and time zone (e.g., "by 5:00 PM CET on March 10").

Example

Examples in context

Please respond within 24 hours to confirm the booking.

We guarantee a 24-hour turnaround for urgent invoice processing.

If you order before noon, we offer same-day delivery in the city.

Submit the corrected file by EOD so the team can proceed tomorrow.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these universal errors when using time-sensitive phrases:

  • Confusing "within 24 hours" with "in 24 hours" — the first is a deadline window, the second often refers to a point in time.
  • Being vague — using "ASAP" without a concrete time can cause misunderstandings.
  • Not specifying time zone or EOD time for international recipients.
  • Mixing tenses when referring to deadlines (e.g., "Please confirm within 24 hours" vs "Please will confirm within 24 hours").

Always be precise: include reference points, dates/times, and time zones when necessary.

Quiz

Choose the best sentence to request a confirmation within one day:

Hint: Think about a precise time window starting now.

Quiz

Complete: Please confirm the shipment _____.

Hint: Think of a phrase that gives a one-day deadline.

Quiz

Which phrase best tells a client that delivery will occur on the next working day?

Hint: Consider how weekend days affect delivery schedules.

Key Points

Vocabulary

within 24 hours

phrase CEFR B1 //wɪˈðɪn ˈtwɛnti fɔːr ˈaʊərz//

during the next 24 hours from a reference point

Please reply within 24 hours to confirm attendance.

Vocabulary

24-hour turnaround

noun CEFR B2 //ˈtwɛnti fɔːr ˈaʊər ˈtɜːrnəraʊnd//

a guaranteed processing or completion time of 24 hours

Our support team offers a 24-hour turnaround for critical tickets.

Vocabulary

same day

adjective / adverb CEFR B1 //seɪm deɪ//

completed on the same calendar day as the request or action

We can provide same-day delivery for orders placed before 2 PM.

Vocabulary

by end of day (EOD)

phrase CEFR B2 //baɪ ɛnd əv deɪ//

by the close of business that day (time should be specified for clarity)

Please send the updated proposal by EOD Thursday.

Vocabulary

overnight

adverb / adjective CEFR B2 //ˈoʊvərnaɪt//

sent or delivered during the night so it arrives the next morning

We will send the samples overnight to ensure they arrive by morning.

Vocabulary

ASAP

abbreviation / adverb CEFR B1 //ˌeɪ ɛs eɪ ˈpiː//

as soon as possible; indicates urgency but is imprecise without details

Please review and send feedback ASAP, or specify a deadline.

Vocabulary

rush / express

adjective / verb CEFR B2 //rʌʃ/ /ɪkˈsprɛs//

priority processing or faster delivery option for urgent needs

Select rush processing if you need the report within 24 hours.