Sometimes things need to be done quickly. People don’t always say “hurry up” or “be fast.” Instead, they use special phrases called idioms. These are fun expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words say. But they help people talk about things in a clear and fun way. In this article, we’ll look at idioms people use when they want to talk about doing something quickly.
Idioms can help us speak and write better. They make our words more interesting. You may have heard grown-ups say things like “in a flash” or “at the drop of a hat.” These are idioms that tell us something is done fast. Now, let’s learn 30 idioms that mean being quick or doing things in a short time.
Idioms for Quick
1. In a flash
Meaning: Very quickly
Samples:
She finished her math quiz in a flash. / He cleaned his room in a flash before dinner.
To Put it Another Way: She did it super fast. / He didn’t waste any time.
2. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Right away, without delay
Samples: He leaves for ice cream at the drop of a hat. / She’s ready to play soccer at the drop of a hat.
To Put it Another Way: He goes quickly when he wants. / She is always ready right away.
3. In no time
Meaning: Very soon or very fast
Samples: We’ll be done with homework in no time. / The pizza was gone in no time.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t take long. / It happened fast.
4. Like lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast
Samples: She ran across the field like lightning. / He answered the question like lightning.
To Put it Another Way: She was super fast. / He responded quickly.
5. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: So fast you could miss it
Samples: The squirrel ran away in the blink of an eye. / The snow melted in the blink of an eye.
To Put it Another Way: It happened so fast. / I almost missed it.
6. Quick as a flash
Meaning: Very fast
Samples: He was quick as a flash getting ready. / She found her pencil quick as a flash.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t take long. / She was super quick.
7. Before you know it
Meaning: Very soon
Samples: We’ll be at the park before you know it. / The school day will end before you know it.
To Put it Another Way: It will happen fast. / Time will fly.
8. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Very quickly and willingly
Samples: I’d help my best friend in a heartbeat. / She’d go to the zoo in a heartbeat.
To Put it Another Way: I’d do it fast and with no questions. / She’s ready right away.
9. At lightning speed
Meaning: Very, very fast
Samples: He typed his story at lightning speed. / She cleaned her desk at lightning speed.
To Put it Another Way: He moved super fast. / She didn’t take any time.
10. At breakneck speed
Meaning: Extremely fast and possibly too fast
Samples: The kids were racing at breakneck speed. / The cars zoomed by at breakneck speed.
To Put it Another Way: They moved really fast. / It was almost too quick.
11. In record time
Meaning: Faster than usual
Samples: She finished her homework in record time. / We cleaned the classroom in record time.
To Put it Another Way: She did it faster than ever. / We were very fast.
12. Like a shot
Meaning: Instantly
Samples: He was out the door like a shot. / She stood up like a shot when her name was called.
To Put it Another Way: He moved fast. / She reacted quickly.
13. Faster than a speeding bullet
Meaning: Super fast
Samples: He ran faster than a speeding bullet to the bus stop. / She zipped down the hill faster than a speeding bullet.
To Put it Another Way: He was really quick. / She went very fast.
14. In two shakes of a lamb’s tail
Meaning: Very quickly
Samples: I’ll be ready in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. / He finished his snack in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
To Put it Another Way: I’ll be ready soon. / He ate fast.
15. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast
Samples: She ran like greased lightning. / He cleaned the board like greased lightning.
To Put it Another Way: She moved very quickly. / He was super fast.
16. As quick as a wink
Meaning: Almost instant
Samples: He grabbed the ball as quick as a wink. / She turned around as quick as a wink.
To Put it Another Way: He was super fast. / She moved fast.
17. Without missing a beat
Meaning: Instantly and smoothly
Samples: He answered the question without missing a beat. / She joined the game without missing a beat.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t wait. / She jumped right in.
18. In a jiffy
Meaning: Very fast or soon
Samples: I’ll be back in a jiffy. / We’ll eat lunch in a jiffy.
To Put it Another Way: I won’t be long. / It will happen quickly.
19. In an instant
Meaning: Right away
Samples: He was gone in an instant. / She knew the answer in an instant.
To Put it Another Way: He left quickly. / She figured it out fast.
20. At the speed of light
Meaning: Very, very fast
Samples: The news spread at the speed of light. / She ran at the speed of light to the classroom.
To Put it Another Way: It happened really fast. / She was super quick.
21. Faster than you can say “go”
Meaning: Very quickly
Samples: He packed his bag faster than you can say “go.” / She finished her snack faster than you can say “go.”
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t take any time. / She was super fast.
22. Gone in a flash
Meaning: Disappeared quickly
Samples: The candy was gone in a flash. / My homework was done in a flash.
To Put it Another Way: It disappeared fast. / It was over quickly.
23. Without delay
Meaning: Right away
Samples: We started our work without delay. / She left without delay when the bell rang.
To Put it Another Way: We didn’t wait. / She didn’t waste time.
24. Snap to it
Meaning: Start quickly
Samples: Snap to it, or we’ll be late! / The coach told the team to snap to it.
To Put it Another Way: Get started fast. / Hurry up now.
25. Quicker than a hiccup
Meaning: Very fast
Samples: She found her pencil quicker than a hiccup. / He tied his shoes quicker than a hiccup.
To Put it Another Way: She was super fast. / He didn’t take long.
26. Like a flash
Meaning: Happening very quickly
Samples: He left the playground like a flash. / She zipped up her coat like a flash.
To Put it Another Way: He moved quickly. / She was fast.
27. Up and running
Meaning: Started quickly
Samples: The computer was up and running in seconds. / We were up and running after lunch.
To Put it Another Way: It started fast. / We got going quickly.
28. Jump the gun
Meaning: Start too soon
Samples: He jumped the gun and answered before the question was done. / She jumped the gun and ran before the whistle.
To Put it Another Way: He was too quick. / She started early.
29. Speed through
Meaning: Finish something very fast
Samples: I sped through my reading. / She sped through her chores.
To Put it Another Way: I did it quickly. / She didn’t take much time.
30. Get a move on
Meaning: Hurry up
Samples: Get a move on or we’ll be late. / You’d better get a move on before the bell rings.
To Put it Another Way: Start moving faster. / Don’t wait.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Quick
Activity: “Field Trip Countdown”
Mrs. Grant’s class was buzzing with excitement. Their field trip to the science museum was just a day away. Kevin packed his bag in a flash. Emily was up and running before the sun came up. At breakfast, she told her dad, “I’d get on that bus in a heartbeat!”
At school, Mia was moving like lightning, helping the teacher set up the permission slips. Mr. Jordan told the class, “We’ll leave at the drop of a hat tomorrow morning, so don’t be late.” That made everyone snap to it. Tim shouted, “I’ll be ready quicker than a hiccup!”
Later, Zoe was speed-reading her museum guidebook. “You’re flying through that in record time,” said her friend Jordan. The classroom felt like it was moving at the speed of light with all the excitement. Just before the bell rang, Mrs. Grant said, “We’ll be heading out before you know it.”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms that mean “quick” used in the story.
Answer Key
- In a flash
- Up and running
- In a heartbeat
- Like lightning
- At the drop of a hat
- Snap to it
- Quicker than a hiccup
- In record time
Conclusion
Idioms help us describe fast actions in a more fun way. When we say “in a flash” or “like lightning,” it’s easier to imagine how quickly something happened. These expressions add color to our writing and speech.
You might hear these phrases in class, at home, or on the playground. Try using them in your own sentences. Talking about something “in a heartbeat” can show others you’re ready and fast. The more you use idioms, the more fun and clear your words can be.
