expedite

Definitions

ex- (out) + ped (foot) = 'to free the foot from a snare.' Unshackle the foot and it can move fast — so expedite means to speed something up. It is the exact mirror of impede, which traps the foot instead.

Why It Means This

The pairing with impede is the whole story: both come from the same Latin picture of a foot in a fetter. impede (in-) ties it down; expedite (ex-) cuts it loose. From 'free to move' grew the whole exped- family — expedition (a journey that can proceed), expedient (a quick way out), expeditious (speedy).

Common Collocations

• 1.expedite the process加快流程
• 2.expedite delivery加速交付
• 3.expedite shipment加快发货
• 4.expedite a request加急处理请求

Example Sentences

• 1.

  We paid a fee to expedite the shipping of our order.

• 2.

  The new software should expedite the approval process.

• 3.

  Officials promised to expedite aid to the flooded region.

Easily Confused

expedite vs accelerate — accelerate is general (increase speed of anything: a car, growth, decay). expedite is about pushing a process or task through faster by removing obstacles, usually in business/admin contexts: expedite an order, a request, a shipment — not 'expedite a car.'