by return of post
With the very next mail delivery.
Literally: Using the returning mail service
In 15 Seconds
- A formal request for an immediate reply to a letter or email.
- Originated from Victorian mail coaches making scheduled return trips between major cities.
- Best used in legal, professional, or high-stakes business correspondence today.
- Sounds elegant and traditional, especially in British English settings.
Meaning
When you ask for a reply `by return of post`, you want an answer as fast as the mail system allows. It basically means you want the person to send their response using the very next delivery service available. In our digital age, it is a very polite and formal way to say 'Please reply immediately.'
Key Examples
3 of 10Formal business email
We need the signed contract `by return of post` to finalize the deal.
We need the signed contract immediately to finalize the deal.
Legal correspondence
Please confirm your receipt of these documents `by return of post`.
Please confirm you got these documents as soon as possible.
Job offer
Kindly let us know your start date `by return of post`.
Please tell us when you can start immediately.
Cultural Background
This phrase is a relic of the Victorian era's obsession with efficiency and the Royal Mail. Before the telegraph, the postal service was the only way to synchronize business across the British Empire. The concept of 'return of post' highlights a society that valued formal structure and reliable, scheduled communication. It reflects the transition from slow, expensive mail to the rapid, affordable 'Penny Post' system that defined the 19th century.
The British Connection
This phrase is deeply tied to British English. While Americans understand it, they rarely use it, preferring 'by return mail' or simply 'ASAP'.
Avoid 'The' Trap
Adding 'the' as in 'by THE return of post' is the number one sign of a non-native speaker. Keep it clean: 'by return of post'.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal request for an immediate reply to a letter or email.
- Originated from Victorian mail coaches making scheduled return trips between major cities.
- Best used in legal, professional, or high-stakes business correspondence today.
- Sounds elegant and traditional, especially in British English settings.
What It Means
Imagine sending an email and getting a reply before you finish your coffee.
In the 1800s, people did not have high-speed internet or smartphones.
They had the postal service, and they wanted it to be fast.
To get a quick answer, they used the phrase by return of post.
It was the Victorian version of a 'high priority' flag on an email.
Today, it sounds very elegant and a little bit old-fashioned.
What It Means
This phrase is a request for a very speedy written response.
It tells the reader to reply using the next available mail delivery.
Think of it as the original version of 'ASAP' for letters.
You are not just asking for an answer eventually.
You are asking for an answer the moment they read your note.
It carries a sense of urgency but stays very polite.
In a modern office, it means 'please reply to this email today'.
It suggests that the matter is quite important and needs attention.
Origin Story
The story begins in Great Britain during the early 19th century.
At that time, the Royal Mail was the heartbeat of the country.
Mail coaches traveled back and forth between big cities every day.
If a coach arrived in your town, it would soon go back.
This return trip was known as the return of post.
If you wrote your reply quickly, it caught that same coach.
Your letter would literally return on the next available postal carriage.
It was the fastest way to talk to someone far away.
Rowland Hill changed the system in 1840 with the Penny Post.
Suddenly, everyone could afford to send letters by return of post.
It was a communication revolution, much like the first dial-up internet.
How To Use It
You will mostly see this phrase in very formal business letters.
It is perfect for when you need a contract signed quickly.
You can also use it in a formal email to a boss.
Place it at the end of your message to show urgency.
For example, write: 'Please let me know your decision by return of post.'
It works best when you are waiting for a specific document.
Do not use it if you are just chatting with a friend.
Unless you want to sound like a character in a period drama.
It adds a touch of class to your professional writing style.
Just remember that it refers to the reply, not your message.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you are applying for a cool internship at a museum.
The manager sends you an offer letter via a formal email.
At the bottom, it says, 'Please confirm your acceptance by return of post.'
This means you should reply as soon as you see the email.
Another scenario is a lawyer sending you a very important document.
They need your signature so they can finish your house sale.
They will ask for the papers back by return of post.
In a movie, a king might send a message to a knight.
He wants to know if the knight will fight the dragon.
The messenger waits for the knight to write back immediately.
When To Use It
Use it when you are writing a formal letter on paper.
It is excellent for legal, medical, or high-level business correspondence.
Use it when the deadline is very tight and you are worried.
It sounds much more professional than saying 'hurry up please'.
Use it if you want to sound particularly British or traditional.
It is also great for cover letters when applying for jobs.
It shows you understand professional etiquette and formal English rules.
Use it when you expect a physical document to be mailed back.
It keeps the focus on the speed of the delivery system.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this phrase in a casual text message to friends.
Saying 'Tell me where the pizza is by return of post' is weird.
Your friend will think you have been reading too much Shakespeare.
Avoid using it on social media platforms like X or Instagram.
It is too formal for a comment on a funny cat video.
Do not use it if you do not actually need a fast reply.
It can make you sound a bit demanding if used incorrectly.
Also, avoid it in very casual workplaces with a 'flat' hierarchy.
Stick to 'ASAP' or 'soon' for your coworkers and teammates.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake is adding the word 'the' in the middle.
by return of post.
Another error is using it for spoken conversations in person.
You should not use it if you are the one replying.
It is a request for the other person to take action.
Remember that 'post' means the mail, not a blog post.
Keep it strictly for the act of replying to a message.
Similar Expressions
If by return of post feels too stiff, try these instead.
'At your earliest convenience' is a very common professional alternative.
It is slightly less urgent but still very polite and formal.
'As soon as possible' (ASAP) is the standard for daily work.
'By return' is a shorter version used in many modern offices.
'Promptly' is a good word if you want to sound direct.
'Without delay' is quite strong and shows that you are serious.
In the UK, people sometimes just say 'post-haste' for extra speed.
All of these phrases share the goal of getting an answer.
Memory Trick
Think of a boomerang when you see the word return.
You throw the letter out into the world like a boomerang.
You want it to curve around and come right back to you.
The 'post' is the wind that carries the boomerang to your hand.
Picture a mailman in a race car driving back to your house.
He just dropped off a letter and is already waiting for your reply.
If you can imagine the 'return' trip, you will remember the phrase.
It is all about the round-trip speed of the message.
Quick FAQ
Is this phrase still used in 2026?
Yes, it is still used in legal and very formal business.
Can I use it in an email?
Yes, it has successfully moved from paper letters to digital mail.
Does it mean the same thing as ASAP?
It is similar, but by return of post is much more formal.
Is it British or American?
It is much more common in British English than in American English.
What if I miss the 'return of post'?
Just reply as fast as you can and apologize for the delay.
Does it sound rude?
No, it is actually a very polite way to be firm.
Usage Notes
This idiom is a 'fixed phrase', meaning you should not change the words inside it. It belongs to the 'high-formal' register. Avoid using it in speech; it is almost exclusively used in written communication like emails and letters.
The British Connection
This phrase is deeply tied to British English. While Americans understand it, they rarely use it, preferring 'by return mail' or simply 'ASAP'.
Avoid 'The' Trap
Adding 'the' as in 'by THE return of post' is the number one sign of a non-native speaker. Keep it clean: 'by return of post'.
Email Elegance
Using this in an email signature for a job application can make you stand out as someone with high-level professional vocabulary.
The Ghost Postman
Don't worry, a physical postman doesn't have to be involved anymore. It is perfectly fine to use this for digital messages today.
Examples
10We need the signed contract `by return of post` to finalize the deal.
We need the signed contract immediately to finalize the deal.
Here it emphasizes that the deal cannot move forward without the reply.
Please confirm your receipt of these documents `by return of post`.
Please confirm you got these documents as soon as possible.
Lawyers use this to ensure there is a record of fast communication.
Kindly let us know your start date `by return of post`.
Please tell us when you can start immediately.
This shows the company is excited and wants to move fast.
Waiting for your love letters `by return of post` in my vintage dress.
Waiting for your letters immediately in my old-style dress.
A playful, stylistic use of the phrase to match a retro vibe.
I sent the keys to you; please send the receipt `by return of post`.
I sent the keys; please send the receipt back immediately.
Using the phrase in a modern courier context.
I miss you dearly; please write back to me `by return of post`.
I miss you; please write back to me as fast as you can.
The phrase adds a sense of desperate urgency to a love letter.
✗ I will send you the files by the return of post → ✓ I will send you the files `by return of post`.
I will send you the files immediately.
Learners often mistakenly add 'the' before 'return'.
✗ Hey, give me that coffee by return of post! → ✓ Hey, give me that coffee right now!
Give me that coffee immediately!
This phrase is for written communication, not physical objects in person.
Please acknowledge my order `by return of post` so I know it is safe.
Please confirm my order immediately so I know it is safe.
Common in specialized hobbyist or collector communities.
If you don't reply `by return of post`, I'm eating your fries.
If you don't reply right now, I'm eating your fries.
Using a formal phrase for a silly threat among friends.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank
The standard idiom is 'by return of post'.
Choose the correct option
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly for an urgent request?
This is the standard way to request an immediate response.
Find and fix the error
The idiom does not use the definite article 'the' between 'by' and 'return'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Speed Requests
Texting a friend
Reply ASAP!
Standard work email
Let me know soon.
Business request
At your earliest convenience.
Legal/Classic style
By return of post.
Where to use 'By Return of Post'
Legal Documents
Signing a house deed
Official Offer
University acceptance
Rare Collecting
Buying an antique
Formal Complaints
Letter to a CEO
Creative Writing
1800s novel script
Modern vs. Traditional Speed
Variations of the Phrase
Full Idiom
- • By return of post
- • By return of mail
Short Version
- • By return
- • By post
Synonyms
- • Immediately
- • Promptly
Practice Bank
3 exercisesPlease send the files ___ return of post.
The standard idiom is 'by return of post'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly for an urgent request?
This is the standard way to request an immediate response.
Find and fix the mistake:
We hope to hear from you by the return of post.
The idiom does not use the definite article 'the' between 'by' and 'return'.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
18 questionsIt is very natural in specific formal contexts like law, banking, or traditional business. While you won't hear it on the street, you will definitely see it in important letters or high-level professional emails today.
Not anymore! The phrase has evolved to include emails, faxes, and digital document platforms like DocuSign. It now refers to the speed of the reply rather than the specific physical method of the delivery service used.
No, it is generally seen as professional and firm rather than rude. It is a polite way of saying that the matter is urgent and requires the recipient's immediate attention without using more aggressive or demanding language.
You can, and Americans will understand you, but it might sound a bit extra-formal or 'British' to them. Americans usually say 'by return mail' or 'at your earliest convenience' when they want to achieve a similar formal tone.
It comes from the 1800s when mail was delivered by coaches that followed a set route. The 'return' part refers to the coach heading back to the city it just came from, which was the fastest way to send a reply.
'By return' is simply a shortened, slightly more modern version of the same idiom. It is common in office environments where people want to be efficient but still maintain a high level of professional courtesy in their writing.
If your boss is very traditional or if you work in a formal industry like law, it is a great choice. However, in a tech startup or a casual office, it might sound a bit too stiff or even slightly humorous to your coworkers.
The grammar is simple enough for A1 learners to understand, but the usage is actually more advanced (B2 or C1). It is a 'special' idiom that you save for those moments when you really need to impress someone with your formal writing.
If someone asks you for a reply by return of post and you are late, just apologize politely. You can say 'I apologize for not being able to reply by return of post as requested' before providing your answer or the required documents.
Usually, the phrase is a request for *others* to reply. While you can say 'I am replying by return of post', it is much more common to see it as a instruction or a request directed at the person reading the letter.
Yes, in British English 'post' is the standard word for 'mail'. Both words refer to the system of sending letters and packages, but 'post' is the specific word required to make this particular idiom sound correct and natural.
It is a bold and professional choice for a cover letter, especially if you are asking for an interview. It shows that you are serious and understand the etiquette of formal business communication, which many employers appreciate in a candidate.
Yes, effectively it means you should reply as soon as you have finished reading the message. Historically, it meant catching the next mail delivery, which usually happened within a few hours or by the end of the working day.
There isn't a direct slang version, but 'hmu' (hit me up) or 'LKM' (let me know) are the casual cousins. However, they lack the specific 'immediate mail' nuance and the professional weight that 'by return of post' carries with it.
While it usually refers to information or a letter, you can use it for small physical items like keys or a signed contract. You are asking for the item to be sent back using the very next available courier or postal worker.
It is very stable across the Commonwealth (UK, Australia, Canada, etc.). In the United States, you are much more likely to see 'by return mail', which means exactly the same thing but fits the American preference for the word 'mail'.
No, you do not need to capitalize any part of the phrase unless it starts a sentence. It functions like a regular adverbial phrase within your sentence, such as: 'Please send the documents by return of post as soon as possible.'
'Post-haste' sounds even more old-fashioned and dramatic. While 'by return of post' is still a working business phrase, 'post-haste' is mostly found in literature or used as a joke because it sounds so ancient and Shakespearean to modern ears.
Related Phrases
At your earliest convenience
formal versionAs soon as you are able to do it without stress.
This is a slightly softer and less urgent way to ask for a reply than 'by return of post'.
ASAP
informal versionAs soon as possible.
This is the most common modern alternative used in everyday texts and casual work emails.
By return mail
regional variantUsing the next available mail service.
This is the American English equivalent of the British 'by return of post'.
Promptly
synonymDoing something quickly and without delay.
It is a single-word alternative that conveys the same sense of speed and professionalism.
Post-haste
related topicWith great speed or immediacy.
Both phrases share an origin in the historical postal system and imply high-speed communication.
