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.

   • 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

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.