by return of post

English

Alternative forms

• by return (ellipsis)

Prepositional phrase

by return of post

1. (UK) Replying in the next available mail delivery.
   • 1909, Hardinge Stanley Giffard, The Laws of England: Being a Complete Statement of the Whole Laws of England Whole, page 353:

     In mercantile transactions an offer must as a rule be accepted by return of post, or at any rate by a letter posted on the day on which the offer was received.

   • 1973, Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society, page 115:

     B. Gilliat-Smith often said of Dr. Turrill that only two people ever replied to him by return of post, the two being Dr. Turrill, and his Bank Manager.

2. (UK, by extension, figuratively) Replying immediately or as soon as possible.
   • 1987, Sir Frederick James Osborn, Arnold Whittick, F.J.O. - Practical Idealist: A Biography of Sir Frederic Osborn, page 76:

     Osborn replied almost by return of post that he agreed with my suggestions if we could get together a competent group to do the work.

Translations

Translations

• Finnish: ensi postilla
• French: par retour de courrier (fr)
• Polish: pocztą zwrotną
• Portuguese: pela volta do correio

Further reading

• “by return of post”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “by return of post”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “by return of post” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
• “by return of post” (US) / “by return of post” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.