Some things happen very quickly. A race car zooms by. A squirrel darts across the yard. People use special phrases to talk about things that move fast. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are fun and help us understand ideas in an easy way.
In this article, we will learn 45 idioms about speed or doing things fast. These idioms are used every day in the U.S., like when talking about sports, school, or daily life. You’ll see what they mean and how to use them in real life. Let’s get started!
Idioms About Fast
1. Quick as a flash
Meaning: Very fast
Example Sentence:
• He ran across the field as quick as a flash.
• The dog dashed out the door quick as a flash.
Other ways to say: In a second, very fast
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from how fast lightning flashes.
Usage: Used to describe someone or something that moves very quickly.
2. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly or suddenly
Example Sentence:
• The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.
• In the blink of an eye, the cat was on the roof.
Other ways to say: Instantly, right away
Fun Fact/Origin: It compares speed to the short time it takes to blink.
Usage: Used when something happens so fast you almost miss it.
3. At the speed of light
Meaning: Extremely fast
Example Sentence:
• News spread at the speed of light.
• The internet connection was running at the speed of light.
Other ways to say: Super fast, faster than usual
Fun Fact/Origin: Light travels very fast—186,000 miles per second!
Usage: Used to describe very quick actions or events.
4. Faster than a speeding bullet
Meaning: Incredibly fast
Example Sentence:
• He ran faster than a speeding bullet to catch the bus.
• That idea spread faster than a speeding bullet.
Other ways to say: Blazing fast, lightning quick
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from Superman comics.
Usage: Often used to describe fast people or things.
5. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast
Example Sentence:
• The kids ran home like greased lightning when it started raining.
• He finished his homework like greased lightning.
Other ways to say: Very quickly, super fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Greased lightning is slippery and moves even quicker.
Usage: Describes fast movement or action.
6. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly
Example Sentence:
• We’ll be done in no time.
• The cookies were gone in no time.
Other ways to say: Quickly, real fast
Fun Fact/Origin: This means less time than you’d expect.
Usage: Used when something doesn’t take long.
7. Like a shot
Meaning: Immediately or very fast
Example Sentence:
• He got up like a shot when he heard the bell.
• The dog ran like a shot after the ball.
Other ways to say: Quickly, without waiting
Fun Fact/Origin: Compares speed to a bullet being shot.
Usage: Used when someone reacts very fast.
8. Breakneck speed
Meaning: Dangerously fast
Example Sentence:
• They were driving at breakneck speed.
• He rushed through his work at breakneck speed.
Other ways to say: Super fast, risky speed
Fun Fact/Origin: “Breakneck” means moving so fast you might get hurt.
Usage: Often used for speed that seems too fast.
9. Like a bat out of hell
Meaning: Very fast, often in a wild way
Example Sentence:
• She left the classroom like a bat out of hell.
• He ran like a bat out of hell to catch the train.
Other ways to say: Wildly fast, super quick
Fun Fact/Origin: This colorful phrase is often used in stories or shows.
Usage: Used when someone leaves or moves very fast and suddenly.
10. In a flash
Meaning: Instantly or right away
Example Sentence:
• He packed up in a flash.
• The cat climbed the tree in a flash.
Other ways to say: In seconds, quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: “Flash” means a quick burst of light, like lightning.
Usage: Used to describe very short amounts of time.
11. Like a streak of lightning
Meaning: Moving very fast
Example Sentence:
• The soccer player ran down the field like a streak of lightning.
• She dashed to the kitchen like a streak of lightning.
Other ways to say: Super fast, speedy
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from the fast and bright flash of lightning.
Usage: Used to describe someone moving quickly across a space.
12. Like wildfire
Meaning: Spreading very quickly
Example Sentence:
• The rumor spread like wildfire.
• News of the win spread like wildfire across the school.
Other ways to say: Spreading fast, all over quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Wildfires move fast and are hard to stop.
Usage: Used when information or excitement spreads quickly.
13. As fast as your legs can carry you
Meaning: Running or moving as fast as possible
Example Sentence:
• He ran home as fast as his legs could carry him.
• She hurried to school as fast as her legs could carry her.
Other ways to say: Rushing, sprinting
Fun Fact/Origin: This compares speed to the fastest you can move.
Usage: Used when someone is in a hurry or escaping something.
14. Like a rocket
Meaning: Moving upward or ahead quickly
Example Sentence:
• The ball shot up like a rocket.
• Prices rose like a rocket last week.
Other ways to say: Shooting up, rising fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Rockets launch quickly into space.
Usage: Often used for things moving upward or increasing fast.
15. In two shakes of a lamb’s tail
Meaning: Very quickly
Example Sentence:
• I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
• The kids cleaned the room in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Other ways to say: Really fast, in a snap
Fun Fact/Origin: A lamb’s tail shakes very quickly.
Usage: A fun, old-fashioned way to say something happens fast.
16. At full tilt
Meaning: At top speed
Example Sentence:
• He was running at full tilt.
• The bikes raced down the hill at full tilt.
Other ways to say: At full speed, quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tilt” is an old word for a fast, charging move.
Usage: Used for fast movement, especially with effort.
17. On the double
Meaning: Right away, with no delay
Example Sentence:
• Get to class on the double!
• The kids lined up on the double when they heard the whistle.
Other ways to say: Quickly, now
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from military commands to move fast.
Usage: Often used to give urgent instructions.
18. Whip through
Meaning: To do something quickly
Example Sentence:
• He whipped through his homework.
• She whipped through the quiz in five minutes.
Other ways to say: Go fast, speed through
Fun Fact/Origin: “Whip” here means to move quickly, like a snap.
Usage: Used when finishing tasks fast.
19. Like a whirlwind
Meaning: Fast and full of energy
Example Sentence:
• She cleaned the house like a whirlwind.
• He moved through the room like a whirlwind.
Other ways to say: Energetically, super fast
Fun Fact/Origin: A whirlwind spins quickly and is full of motion.
Usage: Used for fast movement with excitement or messiness.
20. Fast as lightning
Meaning: Very quick
Example Sentence:
• He grabbed the ball as fast as lightning.
• She answered the question fast as lightning.
Other ways to say: In a flash, quick as a blink
Fun Fact/Origin: Lightning is a natural symbol of speed.
Usage: Used to describe very fast action or response.
21. Quick off the mark
Meaning: Fast to start or react
Example Sentence:
• She was quick off the mark and answered first.
• He was quick off the mark when the bell rang.
Other ways to say: Fast to react, quick starter
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from running races where the start line is called “the mark.”
Usage: Used for someone who reacts or begins quickly.
22. Make quick work of
Meaning: Finish something quickly
Example Sentence:
• He made quick work of the puzzle.
• They made quick work of cleaning the yard.
Other ways to say: Finish fast, complete quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is used when something is done with little delay.
Usage: Common when something is finished faster than expected.
23. In record time
Meaning: Faster than ever before
Example Sentence:
• They finished the race in record time.
• She cleaned her room in record time.
Other ways to say: Really fast, best time ever
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in sports and tasks where time is tracked.
Usage: Describes completing something very quickly.
24. Jump the gun
Meaning: Start too early
Example Sentence:
• He jumped the gun and answered before hearing the question.
• Don’t jump the gun—wait for the signal.
Other ways to say: Start early, rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from runners starting before the race gun sounds.
Usage: Used when someone acts too soon.
25. Get a move on
Meaning: Hurry up
Example Sentence:
• We need to get a move on or we’ll be late.
• Get a move on! The bus is leaving.
Other ways to say: Hurry, go faster
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often used in a friendly or urgent tone.
Usage: Used to tell someone to go faster.
26. Speed through
Meaning: Move or work quickly
Example Sentence:
• He sped through his chores.
• She sped through the test.
Other ways to say: Rush through, whip through
Fun Fact/Origin: “Speed” is about moving fast.
Usage: Used for tasks done quickly.
27. Race against the clock
Meaning: Hurry before time runs out
Example Sentence:
• They were racing against the clock to finish before the deadline.
• She raced against the clock to finish the drawing.
Other ways to say: In a rush, time is short
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when time is tight.
Usage: When someone needs to beat the time limit.
28. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Very quickly or immediately
Example Sentence:
• I’d help you in a heartbeat.
• She’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Other ways to say: Right away, instantly
Fun Fact/Origin: A heartbeat is fast—just a second long.
Usage: Often used to show quick willingness or action.
29. Beeline for
Meaning: Go straight to something quickly
Example Sentence:
• He made a beeline for the snacks.
• She made a beeline for the swings.
Other ways to say: Go straight, move quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Bees fly directly to flowers—they don’t waste time.
Usage: Used when someone quickly heads straight for something.
30. Lightning fast
Meaning: Extremely fast
Example Sentence:
• The goalie made a lightning-fast save.
• She had a lightning-fast reply.
Other ways to say: Super quick, rapid
Fun Fact/Origin: Lightning is one of the fastest natural events.
Usage: Used for actions that happen very quickly.
31. On the fly
Meaning: While doing something else or quickly
Example Sentence:
• He grabbed a snack on the fly.
• She fixed it on the fly before class started.
Other ways to say: While moving, quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from birds flying fast without stopping.
Usage: Used when doing things quickly without stopping.
32. Rapid-fire
Meaning: Fast and one after another
Example Sentence:
• She asked rapid-fire questions.
• The jokes came in rapid-fire style.
Other ways to say: Quick, nonstop
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from rapid-firing weapons in battle.
Usage: Used when things happen quickly in a row.
33. Tear through
Meaning: Move quickly through something
Example Sentence:
• He tore through his homework.
• The wind tore through the trees.
Other ways to say: Rush through, fly through
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tear” means to move fast and forcefully.
Usage: Often used for people or things going fast through a task.
34. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start something quickly and with energy
Example Sentence:
• She hit the ground running on her first day of school.
• He hit the ground running with the new project.
Other ways to say: Start fast, begin with energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from parachuting—start running the second you land.
Usage: Used when starting something with energy and speed.
35. Zip by
Meaning: Go past quickly
Example Sentence:
• The cars zipped by on the highway.
• He zipped by on his bike.
Other ways to say: Zoom past, fly by
Fun Fact/Origin: “Zip” sounds like fast motion.
Usage: Used to describe something that passes quickly.
36. Zoom past
Meaning: Go by very fast
Example Sentence:
• The train zoomed past the station.
• She zoomed past the other runners.
Other ways to say: Whiz past, fly by
Fun Fact/Origin: Zoom is often used to describe fast vehicles.
Usage: Describes something or someone passing very quickly.
37. Dash off
Meaning: Leave quickly
Example Sentence:
• He dashed off after the bell rang.
• She dashed off to catch the bus.
Other ways to say: Hurry out, run off
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dash” means quick, sudden movement.
Usage: Used when someone leaves quickly.
38. Fly by
Meaning: Time passing quickly
Example Sentence:
• The day flew by.
• The weekend flew by so fast.
Other ways to say: Go quickly, rush past
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to describe time that feels short.
Usage: Common when time seems to move fast.
39. Jet off
Meaning: Leave quickly by plane or with speed
Example Sentence:
• They jetted off to Florida.
• She jetted off for the weekend.
Other ways to say: Fly away, take off quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from jet airplanes that fly fast.
Usage: Used when someone leaves quickly, often on a trip.
40. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point quickly
Example Sentence:
• Let’s cut to the chase and finish the plan.
• He cut to the chase and told us what happened.
Other ways to say: Skip the rest, get to it
Fun Fact/Origin: From old movies—skipping to exciting chase scenes.
Usage: Used when someone avoids delay and talks fast.
41. Rush through
Meaning: To do something too fast
Example Sentence:
• He rushed through his work and made mistakes.
• Don’t rush through your test.
Other ways to say: Go too fast, hurry through
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rush” means to do something quickly, sometimes carelessly.
Usage: Used when speed may hurt the result.
42. Hightail it
Meaning: Leave quickly
Example Sentence:
• We hightailed it out of the park when it started to storm.
• He hightailed it home after the game.
Other ways to say: Run off, bolt
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from animals lifting tails when running fast.
Usage: Used for running away quickly.
43. Blow by
Meaning: Go past quickly
Example Sentence:
• He blew by the other players.
• The wind blew by us on the porch.
Other ways to say: Zoom by, speed past
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blow” links to fast wind or motion.
Usage: Describes quick movement past something.
44. Scurry off
Meaning: Leave in a small, fast way
Example Sentence:
• The squirrel scurried off into the trees.
• The kids scurried off when the bell rang.
Other ways to say: Scamper, dash off
Fun Fact/Origin: “Scurry” means to move quickly with small steps.
Usage: Often used for people or animals moving fast and nervously.
45. Burn rubber
Meaning: Drive away very fast
Example Sentence:
• He burned rubber out of the parking lot.
• The car burned rubber as it sped off.
Other ways to say: Speed off, race away
Fun Fact/Origin: Tires can make smoke when driving off quickly.
Usage: Used when someone drives or leaves very fast.
Quiz: Idioms About Fast
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “quick as a flash” mean?
A) Very slow
B) Very fast
C) Very quiet
2. If something happens “in the blink of an eye,” it means it happens:
A) Over several hours
B) Very quickly
C) With your eyes closed
3. What does “at the speed of light” describe?
A) Something moving slowly
B) Something full of light
C) Something moving extremely fast
4. What does it mean if someone “jumped the gun”?
A) They fired a gun
B) They started too early
C) They were too slow
5. If your teacher says, “Let’s get a move on,” what are they asking you to do?
A) Sit down
B) Hurry up
C) Wait patiently
6. What does “race against the clock” mean?
A) Compete with your friend
B) Try to finish before time runs out
C) Look at a clock race
7. What does “burn rubber” mean?
A) Set something on fire
B) Drive away very fast
C) Use an eraser quickly
8. What does “make a beeline” mean?
A) Fly around like a bee
B) Go straight to something quickly
C) Take a slow walk
9. If someone is “quick off the mark,” they:
A) Start fast
B) Don’t finish anything
C) Wait a long time
10. What does “in a heartbeat” mean?
A) You’re checking your pulse
B) It takes a long time
C) It happens immediately
11. What does “whip through” mean?
A) Finish something slowly
B) Finish something quickly
C) Stir something in a bowl
12. “Like wildfire” means:
A) Something is on fire
B) Something spreads quickly
C) You’re playing with fire
13. What does “cut to the chase” mean?
A) Skip the boring part and get to the main point
B) Watch a movie scene
C) Start running
14. What does “hightail it” mean?
A) Walk slowly
B) Leave quickly
C) Sit down fast
15. If someone says “time flew by,” what do they mean?
A) They saw a bird
B) Time passed quickly
C) Time stopped
Answer Key
- B) Very fast
- B) Very quickly
- C) Something moving extremely fast
- B) They started too early
- B) Hurry up
- B) Try to finish before time runs out
- B) Drive away very fast
- B) Go straight to something quickly
- A) Start fast
- C) It happens immediately
- B) Finish something quickly
- B) Something spreads quickly
- A) Skip the boring part and get to the main point
- B) Leave quickly
- B) Time passed quickly
Wrapping Up
Idioms about speed help us talk about things that happen fast. They make conversations more fun and easy to understand. You can use these phrases at school, at home, or anywhere.
Learning these idioms helps you say things in a shorter and more colorful way. Try using them when talking to friends or writing stories. It will make your words more interesting and fun to read!
