Is "as soon as possible" a meaningless statement?

I think it depends on person and situation. They might be actually very busy at this moment but didnt want for you to wait for anykind of anwser. Or not

Yeah, it depends, and you can choose your perspective on it too.

They might feel that they “can’t” (reasonably, given their situation) immediately respond, but they intend to as soon as it’s practical, and I can imagine someone receiving such a reply compassionately.

Or near the other extreme of the possible situations, they might be lying, have nothing better to do, but just don’t feel like replying now, or maybe even ever, and think saying that will tend to reduce the frequency that people try to disturb their napping or goofing off. I can imagine someone receiving such a reply assuming that’s more like the case, or even thinking they’re maliciously choosing a “meaningless” expression to try to make a sucker out of them.

“Your call is very important to us.” is another lie we are told every day. We are desensitized to these claims by the sheer volume.

I gave it a GQ because you’re right. It means nothing.

Coming from a business, it is vague and carries no weight.

Coming from a boss or an important client, better bust your ass to get it done.

I think ASAP means something when you are asking for something to be done right away. If my boss said do something ASAP that just went to the top of my list.

When someone promises something ASAP I’m not sure how they are really prioritizing it.

If a business is promising me something, I’d rather have them say “hopefully by the end of the day” or “hopefully this week” or “hopefullly this month.”

ASAP means (from the target), “I acknowledge the need for speed, I will do my best.”

Or, conversely (from the asker), “I need some speed, please do your best.”

Good communication

In my job it does. ASAP means there are deadlines and we need to do this now. But that’s within my company. When others say it, it means nothing.

@jca2 That is so much better. I usually ask when should I expect it to be done? Or, something similar.

For what it’s worth, it’s the end of the data, and I haven’t heard back from either of them. Not really surprised.

Depends on if it’s a person saying ASAP.

I get the option ASAP when ordering food online.

Whatever it takes

^ Exactly, Cap.

It’s like when you say “When the shit hits the fan.” Seriously, have you ever seen shit hit a fan??? Under what circumstance could that possibly happen?
To be exact, the correct phrase should be “as soon as reasonably possible.” It’s saying it will be done. Soon. “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

If we don’t do whatever it takes to get this done as soon as possible, shit will hit the fan.—————————-sometimes is a metaphorically correct statement.

It is a meaningless statement in todays society. Nobody uses that statement today in business today. If someone says that to me regarding a timeline, I simply ask for a due date.

It means something to me in life and at work. If I tell you asap, bet I’ll push hard.

As a manager, like @tinyfaery said, if I say I need it asap, I give a deadline. Foe example I need it asap or no later than 3pm or (insert repercussion.)

It means they recognize the urgency of the request and intend to prioritize getting you a resolution. At least that’s what it’s supposed to mean. This is often said by people who don’t mean it.

In a literal sense, what the phrase implies is that there is some set of barriers preventing a request from being satisfied. Either these barriers are not under your control or they are such that they will require some minimum amount of time to be removed. However, as soon as these impediments are removed, the request will be satisfied.

In actual practice, the usual case is simply that there are more important matters to attend to.

Yeah. “I’m up.to my ass in alligators BUT I’LL GET TO YOUR SHIT TOO WHEN I CAN!!!

Reminds of 40 years ago I was working for an aerospace company, an engineer went out on the shop floor and told an operator to run his project part instead of the part that was already running on the machine. Problem was the part was for an AOG (Aircraft On the Ground). When I found out I had the operator restart (after doing a fresh set-up) and sent an email to the engineer’s manager, he never came back to our building.

He wanted his part ASAP ! ! !

Idon’t have a problem with it unless there is some time sensitivity to what I need. It tells me that the person is acknowledging my need, has other things going but will get to mine when they can.

No. It’s had a solid meaning in every business position I’ve held and also enjoys its literal meaning in my personal life.

I need to think about this question. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

—Reminds me of a couple cartoons i used to see in back in the 70’s….the kind that would be left on the copierl. One said, “When you’re up your ass in alligators, it’s hard to remember the main objective was to drain the swamp!”

The other would have a few cartoon characters rolling on the floor laughing (ROFL), and a caption that read, “You want it when?”

If you’re employed by someone who wants you to do something ASAP, it means they want the task done yesterday…you’re already late.

A “promise” from someone to do something you requested means whenever they decide to get to it. In today’s terminology ASAP is equivalent to “I got you”.