Idioms are dynamic, figurative expressions that race into conversations, adding vivid imagery and energy, especially when describing speed, whether it’s lightning-fast action, rapid progress, or fleeting moments. These phrases capture the essence of swiftness—its thrill, urgency, or efficiency—using imaginative language that makes discussions about speed more engaging, relatable, and often infused with a sense of momentum or excitement.
In this turbo-charged listicle, we’ll explore 59 idioms related to speed, decoding their meanings and illustrating their use with examples. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your dialogue, describe a fast-paced situation, or capture the rush of quick action, this guide will zoom through the world of speed-related idioms like a sprinter crossing the finish line. Let’s buckle up and hit the ground running!
What is an Idiom for Speed?
Idioms for speed are figurative phrases that describe rapid movement, quick action, or swift progress, using vibrant language to convey the intensity, efficiency, or urgency of speed. These expressions make conversations about fast-paced scenarios more lively, relatable, and often carry a sense of dynamism, urgency, or achievement. Below, we’ll unpack each idiom, its meaning, and how it can be seamlessly woven into everyday conversations.
Idioms for Speed
1. Quick as a Flash
Meaning: Extremely fast, like a sudden burst of light.
In a Sentence: When the bell rang, she was out the door quick as a flash, her swift departure leaving her classmates stunned as she raced to catch the early bus.
2. Like a Bat Out of Hell
Meaning: Moving extremely fast, often recklessly or with urgency.
In a Sentence: He drove like a bat out of hell to the airport, his car speeding through traffic in a desperate bid to catch the last flight before it departed.
3. In the Blink of an Eye
Meaning: Happening so quickly it’s barely noticeable.
In a Sentence: The thief vanished in the blink of an eye, his nimble fingers snatching the wallet and disappearing into the crowd before anyone could react.
4. Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
Meaning: Incredibly fast, often used to exaggerate speed.
In a Sentence: She typed faster than a speeding bullet, her fingers flying across the keyboard to finish the report just minutes before the deadline loomed.
5. At Breakneck Speed
Meaning: Dangerously or recklessly fast.
In a Sentence: The cyclist pedaled at breakneck speed down the hill, her fearless descent thrilling spectators but leaving her coach worried about a potential crash.
6. Like Lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast, like a bolt of lightning.
In a Sentence: He moved like lightning across the soccer field, his explosive sprint outpacing defenders to score the winning goal in the final seconds.
7. In a Heartbeat
Meaning: Instantly or very quickly, without hesitation.
In a Sentence: She accepted the job offer in a heartbeat, her swift decision driven by the exciting opportunity to lead a team on a groundbreaking project.
8. Swift as an Arrow
Meaning: Moving quickly and directly, like an arrow in flight.
In a Sentence: The courier was swift as an arrow, weaving through city streets to deliver the urgent package to the client well before the expected time.
9. Like the Wind
Meaning: Moving very fast, often gracefully or freely.
In a Sentence: The horse galloped like the wind across the open field, its powerful strides kicking up dust as it raced toward the horizon with breathtaking speed.
10. At Full Tilt
Meaning: At maximum speed or effort.
In a Sentence: The factory was running at full tilt, machines humming and workers bustling to meet the holiday rush, producing goods at an unprecedented pace.
11. Quick on the Draw
Meaning: Fast to react or respond, often mentally or physically.
In a Sentence: She was quick on the draw in the debate, her sharp rebuttals coming so fast that her opponent struggled to keep up with her witty arguments.
12. In a Jiffy
Meaning: Very quickly or in a short amount of time.
In a Sentence: He fixed the glitch in a jiffy, his expert hands moving rapidly to restore the system before the team even noticed the brief interruption.
13. Like a Shot
Meaning: Very quickly or suddenly, like a fired bullet.
In a Sentence: When the rain started, she darted inside like a shot, her sudden sprint saving her from getting soaked in the unexpected downpour.
14. At Lightning Speed
Meaning: Extremely fast, emphasizing rapid movement.
In a Sentence: The news spread at lightning speed through social media, the viral post reaching millions within hours, sparking a global conversation.
15. Burn Rubber
Meaning: To drive or move very fast, often with tires screeching.
In a Sentence: He burned rubber out of the parking lot, his car accelerating so quickly that the smell of scorched tires lingered long after he was gone.
16. Fast and Furious
Meaning: Happening rapidly and with intense energy or chaos.
In a Sentence: The trading floor was fast and furious, traders shouting and screens flashing as deals were made at a dizzying pace in the market’s opening hour.
17. In No Time
Meaning: Very quickly, almost immediately.
In a Sentence: She whipped up a gourmet meal in no time, her culinary skills turning raw ingredients into a delicious feast faster than anyone thought possible.
18. Like a House on Fire
Meaning: Very quickly and energetically, often with great success.
In a Sentence: The new team worked like a house on fire, their rapid collaboration producing a flawless presentation that impressed the client within days.
19. Quick as a Wink
Meaning: Extremely fast, almost instantaneous.
In a Sentence: He solved the puzzle quick as a wink, his sharp mind piecing together the clues before the others even had a chance to start thinking.
20. At Warp Speed
Meaning: Incredibly fast, often with a sci-fi connotation.
In a Sentence: The startup grew at warp speed, its innovative product capturing the market so rapidly that competitors were left scrambling to catch up.
21. Hit the Ground Running
Meaning: To start something quickly and effectively.
In a Sentence: She hit the ground running on her first day, diving into tasks with such speed and confidence that her colleagues were instantly impressed.
22. In a Flash
Meaning: Very quickly or suddenly.
In a Sentence: The paramedics arrived in a flash, their swift response ensuring the patient received critical care within minutes of the emergency call.
23. Like Nobody’s Business
Meaning: Extremely fast or with great intensity.
In a Sentence: He coded like nobody’s business, his fingers blazing across the keyboard to build the app’s prototype in a fraction of the expected time.
24. Faster Than You Can Say
Meaning: Almost instantaneous, faster than speaking a phrase.
In a Sentence: The kids cleaned their rooms faster than you can say “dessert,” their sudden burst of speed motivated by the promise of ice cream afterward.
25. At a Clip
Meaning: At a fast pace or steady speed.
In a Sentence: The runners moved at a clip, their synchronized strides eating up the track as they raced toward the finish line in record-breaking time.
26. Quick Off the Mark
Meaning: Fast to start or react, often in a competitive context.
In a Sentence: She was quick off the mark in the negotiations, her immediate counteroffer catching the seller off guard and securing a better deal.
27. In the Fast Lane
Meaning: Living or moving at a high speed, often ambitiously.
In a Sentence: His career was in the fast lane, promotions coming so quickly that he was leading major projects before he’d even settled into his new office.
28. Like Greased Lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast, with smooth and effortless speed.
In a Sentence: The new sports car moved like greased lightning, its sleek design cutting through the air as it roared down the highway in a blur of motion.
29. Flat Out
Meaning: At maximum speed or effort, without restraint.
In a Sentence: The team worked flat out to meet the deadline, their relentless pace ensuring the product launched on time despite countless last-minute challenges.
30. Swift as a Deer
Meaning: Moving quickly and gracefully, like a deer in flight.
In a Sentence: She danced swift as a deer across the stage, her elegant movements captivating the audience as she glided through the routine with breathtaking speed.
31. In Double-Quick Time
Meaning: Very quickly, often faster than expected.
In a Sentence: The crew cleaned the venue in double-quick time, their efficient teamwork transforming the messy hall into a pristine space before guests arrived.
32. Like a Rocket
Meaning: Extremely fast, with explosive energy.
In a Sentence: Sales shot up like a rocket after the campaign, the viral ad driving demand so quickly that the company struggled to keep products in stock.
33. At a Gallop
Meaning: Moving very fast, like a horse galloping.
In a Sentence: The kids ran at a gallop to the playground, their eager energy propelling them across the field as soon as the school bell signaled recess.
34. Quick as Lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast, emphasizing sudden speed.
In a Sentence: He was quick as lightning with his comeback, his witty retort silencing the critic before they could even process the sharpness of his words.
35. Speed Like the Devil
Meaning: Moving with intense, almost reckless speed.
In a Sentence: The motorbike sped like the devil through the desert, its rider pushing the limits to win the race, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
36. In a Hurry
Meaning: Moving or acting quickly due to urgency.
In a Sentence: She packed her bags in a hurry, her swift movements driven by the sudden realization that her flight was leaving earlier than she’d thought.
37. Fast as a Hare
Meaning: Very quick, like the swift animal.
In a Sentence: The young sprinter was fast as a hare, her explosive start and relentless pace leaving her competitors far behind in the championship race.
38. At Top Speed
Meaning: Moving as fast as possible.
In a Sentence: The delivery truck raced at top speed through the city, its driver determined to get the critical supplies to the hospital before the emergency escalated.
39. Like a Streak
Meaning: Moving so fast it’s a blur, like a streak of light.
In a Sentence: The cheetah ran like a streak across the savanna, its blazing speed making it nearly invisible as it chased down its prey in seconds.
40. In a Rush
Meaning: Acting or moving quickly due to time pressure.
In a Sentence: He finished the presentation in a rush, his rapid revisions ensuring it was ready just moments before the client meeting began.
41. Swift as a Hawk
Meaning: Moving quickly and precisely, like a hawk diving.
In a Sentence: Her decision-making was swift as a hawk, her rapid and accurate choices steering the project through challenges with remarkable efficiency.
42. Like a Bullet
Meaning: Extremely fast and direct, like a fired bullet.
In a Sentence: The rumor spread like a bullet through the office, its shocking details reaching every department before anyone could verify its truth.
43. In High Gear
Meaning: Operating at maximum speed or intensity.
In a Sentence: The campaign was in high gear, volunteers moving at a frenetic pace to distribute flyers and rally support before the election deadline.
44. Fast-Track
Meaning: To accelerate progress or prioritize speed.
In a Sentence: They fast-tracked the vaccine’s approval, their urgent efforts slashing bureaucratic delays to deliver life-saving doses to the public in record time.
45. Like the Clappers
Meaning: Very fast, often with a sense of urgency or enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: The band played like the clappers, their high-energy performance racing through the setlist and leaving the crowd breathless with excitement.
46. At a Rate of Knots
Meaning: Moving very quickly, often with a nautical connotation.
In a Sentence: The boat sped at a rate of knots across the lake, its powerful engine propelling it so fast that waves crashed wildly in its wake.
47. Quick as a Cat
Meaning: Extremely fast and agile, like a cat’s movements.
In a Sentence: She was quick as a cat in the obstacle course, her nimble leaps and rapid dashes earning her the top spot in the competition.
48. In a Snap
Meaning: Very quickly or instantly.
In a Sentence: He resolved the conflict in a snap, his diplomatic words calming the heated argument before it could spiral out of control.
49. Like a Whirlwind
Meaning: Moving rapidly and chaotically, like a whirlwind.
In a Sentence: She organized the event like a whirlwind, her frenetic pace transforming the chaotic preparations into a flawless celebration in just hours.
50. At Full Throttle
Meaning: Operating at maximum speed or effort.
In a Sentence: The team worked at full throttle to launch the product, their relentless drive pushing through obstacles to meet the aggressive market deadline.
51. Fast as the Wind
Meaning: Extremely quick, with a natural, flowing speed.
In a Sentence: The news traveled fast as the wind through the small town, the exciting announcement reaching every household before the day was over.
52. In a New York Minute
Meaning: Extremely quickly, often implying urban urgency.
In a Sentence: She made the decision in a New York minute, her rapid choice to invest seizing the fleeting opportunity before the market shifted dramatically.
53. Like a Scalded Cat
Meaning: Moving very fast, often in panic or urgency.
In a Sentence: He bolted out of the room like a scalded cat, his sudden exit triggered by the fire alarm’s piercing wail echoing through the building.
54. Quick as a Fox
Meaning: Fast and cunning, like a fox’s movements.
In a Sentence: His mind was quick as a fox, his rapid calculations solving the complex equation before the rest of the class had even started their work.
55. At a Frenzied Pace
Meaning: Moving or acting with chaotic, rapid energy.
In a Sentence: The kitchen staff worked at a frenzied pace, their swift chopping and stirring producing a gourmet banquet for hundreds in record time.
56. Like a Speed Demon
Meaning: Moving with reckless or extreme speed.
In a Sentence: The teenager rode his skateboard like a speed demon, his daring tricks and rapid spins thrilling onlookers at the park’s crowded ramp.
57. In the Nick of Time
Meaning: At the last possible moment, just before it’s too late.
In a Sentence: She submitted her application in the nick of time, her last-second upload beating the deadline by mere seconds, securing her chance at the scholarship.
58. Fast as a Falcon
Meaning: Extremely quick, like the swift bird of prey.
In a Sentence: The courier was fast as a falcon, his rapid delivery ensuring the critical documents reached the boardroom before the meeting’s crucial vote.
59. Like a Tornado
Meaning: Moving rapidly and destructively, with overwhelming force.
In a Sentence: The new manager swept through the department like a tornado, her rapid reforms transforming the sluggish team into a powerhouse of productivity overnight.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Quick as a Flash
What does the idiom “Quick as a flash” mean?
a) Moving slowly
b) Extremely fast
c) Acting cautiously
d) Waiting patiently
Quiz 2: Like a Bat Out of Hell
What is the meaning of “Like a bat out of hell”?
a) Moving calmly
b) Moving extremely fast and recklessly
c) Staying still
d) Acting thoughtfully
Quiz 3: In the Blink of an Eye
When someone says, “In the blink of an eye,” what are they describing?
a) A long process
b) Something happening very quickly
c) A delayed action
d) A complicated task
Quiz 4: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
What does the idiom “Faster than a speeding bullet” suggest?
a) Moving at a normal pace
b) Incredibly fast movement
c) Acting carelessly
d) Waiting for an opportunity
Quiz 5: At Breakneck Speed
What situation is described by the idiom “At breakneck speed”?
a) Moving safely and slowly
b) Moving dangerously fast
c) Planning carefully
d) Resting comfortably
Quiz 6: In a Heartbeat
If something happens “in a heartbeat,” what does it mean?
a) It takes a long time
b) It happens instantly
c) It’s unpredictable
d) It’s complicated
Quiz 7: Like the Wind
What does the expression “Like the wind” imply?
a) Moving slowly and heavily
b) Moving very fast and freely
c) Staying in one place
d) Acting cautiously
Quiz 8: At Full Tilt
When is it appropriate to say, “At full tilt”?
a) When moving at maximum speed
b) When resting
c) When planning slowly
d) When giving up
Quiz 9: Quick on the Draw
What is the meaning of “Quick on the draw”?
a) Slow to react
b) Fast to respond or act
c) Hesitant in action
d) Unprepared
Quiz 10: In a Jiffy
When something is done “in a jiffy,” what does it mean?
a) It takes a long time
b) It’s done very quickly
c) It’s done carelessly
d) It’s delayed
Answers:
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for speed are like turbo boosts in language, capturing the thrill, urgency, and dynamism of rapid movement or action with vivid imagery that makes conversations more lively and relatable. Whether you’re describing a lightning-fast sprint, a whirlwind of activity, or a last-second save, these 59 idioms offer a high-octane collection of expressions to accelerate your dialogue with energy and flair. Sprinkle them into your conversations to add a touch of velocity, and let them race through your words like a speed demon on the open road.