This is a simple question. As the title says, what would it mean in this given context:
A: Can you check this?
B: I'm on it.
In this case, when B says "I'm on it", does he mean he already started the checking and is continuing it, or he will be checking it sooner or later (but not sure when he will be checking it)? What is B trying to convey exactly here? Thanks!
Updated with my research on the web. It seems to me that the phrase could be interpreted either ways. What do your native speakers think?
Best Answer
Yes, it usually implies that the person who says it is either already actively working on a problem or just a few seconds away from beginning to start actively working on a problem. Think logically about it for a second. If something is on the table or on the news, it's not in the process of getting there. It's already there! So, if somebody tells you that they're on it, you can pretty much consider whatever they're doing done. Take a look at this example:
He has not done it yet, but the idea here is that you can rest assured that he will. It's as though the problem has already been taken care of even though he's actually only beginning to take care of it. Also notice that although the fact that the problem is ALREADY in the process of being taken care of is implied, nothing prevents you from using the adverb already again for emphasis.