aye, aye, sir

Definitions

Phrase. [C1]

Examples

““I fear that there is something more serious than accident here, Mr. Brently,” said the captain. “I wish⟳ that you would make⟳ a personal and very careful examination of Mr. Caldwell’s effects, to ascertain if there is any clew to a motive either for suicide or murder⟳—sift the thing to the bottom.” “Aye, aye, sir!” responded Mr. Brently, and left to commence his investigation.”

“Beginning tomorrow, telephone operators at the Navy Department’s giant 60,000-call-a-day switchboard will abandon the traditional “thank⟳ you” acknowledgment of requests, in favor of the salty and exclusively maritime “Aye, aye, sir!” “A little something extra,” the Navy calls it—“an affirmative answer⟳ with a personality.””

““Remember⟳, no shooting unless you have⟳ to. Use⟳ your saber.” / “Aye, aye, sir.” Asa could not resist⟳ a salute.”

““Can it wait⟳?” / “Sir, yes sir. I suppose⟳, sir.” / “Then wait⟳, Dean. I don’t need⟳ to think⟳ about all that when I’m on liberty.” / “Sir, I—” They were all staring at him, not unkindly, but he had intruded and he had no business in their Sunday lives. “Aye, aye, sir.” Can’t you even introduce⟳ me? “Well, have⟳ a nice day, sir.””

“[A]dviſe the Europe Captain to ſtand to the weſtward again on the ebb tide, and keep⟳ firing guns and burning lights, and he would ſoon find⟳ them.—O, the devil; all wrong again!—This is done on purpoſe to keep⟳ out of the way of the Company’s ſhips, becauſe they get⟳ more money by carrying in the country ones.—Note⟳ that, Purſer: Aye, aye, Sir—A ſail! a ſail! Another, another: Four, five Dutch, French, Engliſh; all ſtanding down upon us.”

“"[…] We will take⟳ off without delay⟳ before the weather shows further signs of deterioration." / "Aye, aye, Sir. May I wish⟳ you the best of luck in your endeavours to locate⟳ and sink⟳ her?"”

“Colonel Wilson was a good Marine officer. Even when given an order⟳ he’d rather not receive⟳, he said, “Aye, aye, Sir,” and carried it out to the best of his ability.”

““Mr. Paul, release⟳ that villain from the round house—bring⟳ him to me immediately.” / “Aye, aye, Sir, I shall do that with pleasure,” was the gardener’s reply⟳.”

CEFR level