Idioms for quickly are fun phrases that mean something different from the literal words inside them. People use them every day to make their speaking and writing more colorful and exciting. In this lesson, we will learn wonderful expressions related to doing things quickly.
In this lesson, we’ll look at Idioms that mean doing things fast without wasting time. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Quickly
1. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: This happens extremely fast before you can even notice.
For Example: The magician made the coin disappear in the blink of an eye. / The puppy ran across the yard in the blink of an eye.
Other Ways to Say: Very quickly / In a flash
2. At the speed of light
Meaning: Moving with incredible swiftness just like a beam of sunshine.
For Example: The race car zoomed past us at the speed of light. / My older brother ate his breakfast at the speed of light.
Other Ways to Say: Super fast / Lightning fast
3. Quick on the draw
Meaning: Being fast to react or make a smart choice.
For Example: She was quick on the draw and answered the math question first. / The goalie was quick on the draw and saved the puck.
Other Ways to Say: Fast to react / Quick-witted
4. Like a bat out of hell
Meaning: Moving away with sudden and intense speed.
For Example: The scared cat bolted out of the room like a bat out of hell. / When the bell rang, the kids ran outside like a bat out of hell.
Other Ways to Say: Flying fast / In a huge rush
5. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Moving with absolute maximum speed without stopping.
For Example: He cleaned his entire bedroom floor like greased lightning. / The runner sprinted down the track like greased lightning.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely fast / Swiftly moving
6. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Doing something instantly without any hesitation at all.
For Example: I would share my favorite snack with my best friend in a heartbeat. / She accepted the invitation to the party in a heartbeat.
Other Ways to Say: Instantly / Right away
7. Sharp as a tack
Meaning: Having a quick mind and catching on to things fast.
For Example: My little sister is sharp as a tack when playing board games. / He figured out the puzzle because he is sharp as a tack.
Other Ways to Say: Very smart / Quick-minded
8. Swift as an arrow
Meaning: Flying straight and fast toward a specific destination.
For Example: The paper airplane flew swift as an arrow across the gymnasium. / The hawk dived toward the ground swift as an arrow.
Other Ways to Say: Direct and fast / Rapidly moving
9. Quick on the uptake
Meaning: Understanding new ideas or instructions very fast.
For Example: Since he is quick on the uptake, he learned the new game in seconds. / The teacher knew she was quick on the uptake by her smile.
Other Ways to Say: Fast learner / Quick to understand
10. Faster than you can say Jack Robinson
Meaning: An old-fashioned way to say something happened almost immediately.
For Example: Faster than you can say Jack Robinson, the cookies disappeared. / He packed his backpack faster than you can say Jack Robinson.
Other Ways to Say: In no time / Very rapidly
11. Right off the bat
Meaning: Starting something immediately without any delay.
For Example: She knew the correct answer right off the bat. / Our team scored a goal right off the bat.
Other Ways to Say: Immediately / Straight away
12. At full tilt
Meaning: Going at maximum speed or effort.
For Example: The puppy chased the red ball at full tilt across the grass. / The bicycle rolled down the steep hill at full tilt.
Other Ways to Say: Full speed / All out
13. At a brisk pace
Meaning: Walking or working quickly with steady energy.
For Example: We walked at a brisk pace to get to school before the bell. / Dad worked at a brisk pace to finish raking the leaves.
Other Ways to Say: Moving fast / Steady rush
14. Burn rubber
Meaning: Starting to drive or run away very fast.
For Example: The delivery truck driver had to burn rubber to make his next stop. / When the race started, the go-kart burned rubber.
Other Ways to Say: Peel out / Speed off
15. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Starting a new task with high energy and speed.
For Example: She hit the ground running on her first day of art class. / The new soccer team hit the ground running this season.
Other Ways to Say: Start fast / Jump right in
16. On the double
Meaning: Doing something right now because there is no time to waste.
For Example: Mom told us to pack our toys on the double. / The coach told the team to get onto the field on the double.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry up / Right now
17. In a New York minute
Meaning: Happening almost before you even realize it.
For Example: The delicious pie vanished in a New York minute at the family picnic. / He finished his chores in a New York minute.
Other Ways to Say: Very quickly / Instantly done
18. At a great rate of knots
Meaning: Traveling forward at a very fast speed.
For Example: The sailboat moved across the lake at a great rate of knots. / My little brother grew at a great rate of knots this year.
Other Ways to Say: Moving swiftly / Fast progress
19. Like a house on fire
Meaning: Doing something with huge energy and rapid speed.
For Example: They became best friends and started talking like a house on fire. / The workers built the wooden shed like a house on fire.
Other Ways to Say: Very fast / High speed
20. With all haste
Meaning: Moving toward a goal with urgent speed.
For Example: The knight rode his horse with all haste to save the day. / We packed our umbrellas with all haste when the storm started.
Other Ways to Say: Urgently fast / Rapidly moving
21. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finishing a task right before time runs out.
For Example: I had to beat the clock to finish my math test before the bell. / We raced to beat the clock and pack our camping gear.
Other Ways to Say: Finish early / Beat the timer
22. Knock out
Meaning: Finishing a large job or project with fast speed.
For Example: I want to knock out my homework before dinner time. / We managed to knock out all the weeding in one hour.
Other Ways to Say: Finish fast / Complete quickly
23. Shake a leg
Meaning: Moving your body faster to speed things up.
For Example: Grandma told us to shake a leg so we wouldn’t miss the movie. / We need to shake a leg if we want to catch the bus.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry up / Step lively
24. Step on it
Meaning: Pushing down harder to make a car or task go faster.
For Example: Dad told us to step on it so we could arrive at the park before dark. / The runner heard the coach shout to step on it.
Other Ways to Say: Speed up / Go faster
25. Make tracks
Meaning: Leaving a place in a big hurry.
For Example: It started to rain, so we decided to make tracks for home. / The hikers saw dark clouds and made tracks down the trail.
Other Ways to Say: Leave fast / Hurry away
26. High gear
Meaning: Working or moving at your highest possible speed.
For Example: The kitchen staff shifted into high gear before the dinner rush. / We put our project into high gear on Sunday night.
Other Ways to Say: Full speed / Maximum effort
27. Rip roaring
Meaning: Going fast with lots of energy and noise.
For Example: The monster truck show started at a rip roaring pace. / The wind picked up in a rip roaring rush outside.
Other Ways to Say: Super energetic / Fast moving
28. Whiz by
Meaning: Passing something else with great swiftness.
For Example: The colorful train seemed to whiz by our station. / The weekend hours always seem to whiz by too fast.
Other Ways to Say: Fly past / Zip by
29. Fleet of foot
Meaning: Running across the ground with incredible speed.
For Example: The soccer forward was fleet of foot and outran everyone. / Deer are known to be fleet of foot when startled.
Other Ways to Say: Fast runner / Swift runner
30. Like wildfire
Meaning: Spreading or moving outward with amazing speed.
For Example: The funny joke spread through the school like wildfire. / News of the snow day traveled like wildfire.
Other Ways to Say: Spread fast / Rapid spread
31. Quick study
Meaning: Someone who learns new skills or scripts remarkably fast.
For Example: She is a quick study and memorized her lines in one afternoon. / He proved to be a quick study on the piano.
Other Ways to Say: Fast learner / Quick mind
32. In a jiffy
Meaning: Completing a chore or task almost immediately.
For Example: Mom said dinner would be ready in a jiffy. / I tied my shoelaces in a jiffy so we could play.
Other Ways to Say: Very soon / Instantly
33. Before you know it
Meaning: Time passing so fast that events happen instantly.
For Example: Summer vacation will be over before you know it. / Keep practicing and you will learn the song before you know it.
Other Ways to Say: Very soon / In no time
34. Like lightning
Meaning: Striking or moving with sudden brilliant speed.
For Example: The baseball flew off the bat like lightning. / He solved the riddle like lightning.
Other Ways to Say: Instantly fast / Speed of light
35. At a rapid clip
Meaning: Moving along a path or task with steady speed.
For Example: The bicycle rider moved along the path at a rapid clip. / We read through the storybook at a rapid clip.
Other Ways to Say: Fast pace / Steady speed
36. Double time
Meaning: Moving twice as fast to catch up with others.
For Example: The marching band practiced their steps in double time. / We had to pack our lunchboxes in double time.
Other Ways to Say: Super fast / Extra speed
37. Flash flood of speed
Meaning: A sudden burst of rapid movement or action.
For Example: The puppy showed a flash flood of speed across the yard. / She used a flash flood of speed to win the dash.
Other Ways to Say: Sudden rush / Quick burst
38. Zip along
Meaning: Moving smoothly and quickly down a road or task.
For Example: The scooter began to zip along the smooth pavement. / My drawing started to zip along once I found my crayons.
Other Ways to Say: Glide fast / Move swiftly
39. Rapid fire
Meaning: Doing many things or asking questions very quickly in a row.
For Example: The reporter asked the mayor rapid fire questions. / The game threw rapid fire challenges at us.
Other Ways to Say: Back to back / Fast sequence
40. Snap decision
Meaning: Making a choice instantly without waiting.
For Example: He made a snap decision to pick the chocolate ice cream. / Choosing the red jacket was a snap decision.
Other Ways to Say: Fast choice / Instant pick
41. At breakneck speed
Meaning: Moving so fast that it feels slightly dangerous or reckless.
For Example: The skateboarder rode down the hill at breakneck speed. / The puppy ran at breakneck speed toward his bowl.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely fast / Dangerous speed
42. In short order
Meaning: Finishing a task quickly and without trouble.
For Example: The mechanic fixed our bicycle tire in short order. / We cleaned the living room in short order.
Other Ways to Say: Quickly done / Without delay
43. Flying colors
Meaning: Passing a test or challenge with fast and great success.
For Example: She passed her spelling test with flying colors. / The team finished the obstacle course with flying colors.
Other Ways to Say: Great success / Easy win
44. Quick off the mark
Meaning: Starting a race or project right when it begins.
For Example: The runner was quick off the mark when the whistle blew. / He was quick off the mark to volunteer for cleanup.
Other Ways to Say: Fast start / Quick starter
45. In a flash
Meaning: Happening instantaneously like a camera flash.
For Example: The shooting star crossed the night sky in a flash. / My anger disappeared in a flash when he apologized.
Other Ways to Say: Instantly / Very fast
46. Fleet-footed runner
Meaning: Someone whose feet move with incredible speed.
For Example: The fleet-footed runner easily won the school trophy. / Our cat is a fleet-footed hunter in the tall grass.
Other Ways to Say: Fast sprinter / Swift runner
47. Hot foot
Meaning: Walking or running away with great haste.
For Example: He put a hot foot on the path when he heard the thunder. / We made a hot foot for the door when the bell rang.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry away / Run fast
48. Speed demon
Meaning: Someone who always moves or drives very fast.
For Example: My brother is a speed demon on his bicycle. / The little race car driver was a true speed demon.
Other Ways to Say: Fast driver / Speedy person
49. Light-footedly
Meaning: Moving across a surface very quickly and lightly.
For Example: The dancer moved light-footedly across the wooden stage. / The rabbit hopped light-footedly over the log.
Other Ways to Say: Swift and light / Agile move
50. Quick as a wink
Meaning: Happening as fast as closing and opening your eye.
For Example: The friendly kitten climbed up the tree quick as a wink. / She solved the puzzle quick as a wink.
Other Ways to Say: Very fast / Instantly
51. Fast track
Meaning: A quick way to reach a goal or finish something.
For Example: Reading every night put him on the fast track to success. / The project was placed on the fast track for completion.
Other Ways to Say: Quick route / Speedy path
52. Rapid transit
Meaning: Moving from one place to another with great speed.
For Example: The subway train provided rapid transit across the busy city. / We used rapid transit to get home early.
Other Ways to Say: Fast travel / Swift transport
53. Tear along
Meaning: Moving down a path with great speed and excitement.
For Example: The bicycle riders began to tear along the country road. / The playful dog loved to tear along the beach.
Other Ways to Say: Speed along / Rush forward
54. Dash off
Meaning: Writing or leaving somewhere in a big hurry.
For Example: She had to dash off a quick note to her teacher. / He had to dash off so he wouldn’t miss his bus.
Other Ways to Say: Write fast / Leave quickly
55. Fleet of wing
Meaning: Flying through the air with incredible speed.
For Example: The swallows are fleet of wing as they catch insects. / The eagle was fleet of wing above the canyon.
Other Ways to Say: Fast flyer / Swift bird
56. Quick fix
Meaning: A fast solution to a problem.
For Example: Putting a bandage on was a quick fix for the scrape. / We needed a quick fix for the wobbly chair leg.
Other Ways to Say: Fast solution / Easy repair
57. Turnaround time
Meaning: How fast a task is finished from start to end.
For Example: The library had a fast turnaround time for borrowing books. / Our art project had a quick turnaround time.
Other Ways to Say: Speed of work / Completion time
58. Skim through
Meaning: Reading or looking over something very quickly.
For Example: I decided to skim through the picture book before bedtime. / He could skim through the chapter in five minutes.
Other Ways to Say: Read fast / Glance over
59. At lightning speed
Meaning: Moving at the speed of a lightning bolt.
For Example: The computer loaded our favorite video game at lightning speed. / The chef chopped the vegetables at lightning speed.
Other Ways to Say: Super fast / Instantly
60. Without missing a beat
Meaning: Continuing an action instantly without pausing.
For Example: She dropped her pencil but kept writing without missing a beat. / The singer forgot a lyric but recovered without missing a beat.
Other Ways to Say: Continuously fast / Without pausing
Exercise to Practice
- The magician made the coin disappear ________.
- My older brother ate his breakfast ________.
- She was ________ and answered the math question first.
- We had to ________ to finish our math test before the bell.
- I would share my favorite snack with my best friend ________.
- Dad worked ________ to finish raking the leaves.
- I want to ________ my homework before dinner time.
- We need to ________ if we want to catch the bus.
- Mom said dinner would be ready ________.
- The skateboarder rode down the hill ________.
- We cleaned the living room ________.
- She passed her spelling test ________.
- The little race car driver was a true ________.
- The computer loaded our favorite video game ________.
- She dropped her pencil but kept writing ________.
Answer Key
- in the blink of an eye
- at the speed of light
- quick on the draw
- beat the clock
- in a heartbeat
- at a brisk pace
- knock out
- shake a leg
- in a jiffy
- at breakneck speed
- in short order
- with flying colors
- speed demon
- at lightning speed
- without missing a beat
Conclusion
Learning these idioms makes your everyday writing and speaking much more interesting and fun. Instead of using plain words, these expressions help you paint a colorful picture in the listener’s mind.
Try using a few of these fun phrases when you talk with your friends or write stories this week. You will notice how much more exciting your conversations become!
