People often talk about how fast or slow something happens. But instead of saying “very fast” or “really slow,” we use fun phrases called idioms. Idioms for speed help us describe quick actions or delays in a more interesting way. These idioms are like short sayings that don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help us understand better.
You might hear someone say, “She was gone in a flash,” or “He’s as slow as a snail.” These are idioms for speed. They tell us how fast or slow something happened using everyday words. In this article, you’ll learn 30 idioms about speed. You can use these in your stories, conversations, or writing to make your words more lively and clear. Let’s get started and see how people talk about speed in clever ways.
Idioms for Speed
1. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly; almost instantly.
Samples: The deer ran away in the blink of an eye. / The snack disappeared in the blink of an eye.
To Put it Another Way: It happened so fast I almost missed it. / It was over before I knew it.
2. Like a flash
Meaning: Extremely fast, like a quick light.
Samples: He ran out the door like a flash. / She grabbed her bag and left like a flash.
To Put it Another Way: He moved super fast. / She was gone in a second.
3. Quick as a wink
Meaning: Very fast, almost as fast as blinking.
Samples: He cleaned his desk as quick as a wink. / She was ready as quick as a wink.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t take her long at all. / He was done really fast.
4. At lightning speed
Meaning: As fast as lightning.
Samples: The team finished the puzzle at lightning speed. / He typed the answer at lightning speed.
To Put it Another Way: They worked super fast. / He did it faster than anyone.
5. Faster than a speeding bullet
Meaning: Extremely fast.
Samples: She ran faster than a speeding bullet to catch the bus. / The bird flew faster than a speeding bullet.
To Put it Another Way: She was unbelievably fast. / The bird zoomed by so quickly.
6. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly, without delay.
Samples: We set up the game in no time. / He finished his homework in no time.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t take long at all. / He was done so quickly.
7. As fast as lightning
Meaning: Super fast, like a bolt of lightning.
Samples: The car zoomed by as fast as lightning. / She answered the question as fast as lightning.
To Put it Another Way: It was over before we noticed. / She didn’t waste a second.
8. Speed of light
Meaning: Extremely fast, like the fastest thing possible.
Samples: He ran at the speed of light to get to class. / The game ended at the speed of light.
To Put it Another Way: It happened super fast. / He moved quicker than anyone expected.
9. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Very fast and smooth.
Samples: He slid down the slide like greased lightning. / She finished the test like greased lightning.
To Put it Another Way: He was super fast and smooth. / She didn’t slow down once.
10. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Happening immediately, without delay.
Samples: I’d help my friend in a heartbeat. / She left the room in a heartbeat.
To Put it Another Way: I’d do it right away. / She didn’t wait at all.
11. In a flash
Meaning: Very quickly.
Samples: He was gone in a flash. / The lights went out in a flash.
To Put it Another Way: It happened so fast. / It was over quickly.
12. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Right away, without thinking.
Samples: She joins the game at the drop of a hat. / He’ll help you at the drop of a hat.
To Put it Another Way: She doesn’t waste time. / He acts fast when needed.
13. Breakneck speed
Meaning: Very high speed, possibly risky.
Samples: They raced down the hill at breakneck speed. / The roller coaster moved at breakneck speed.
To Put it Another Way: They were going dangerously fast. / It felt too quick to be safe.
14. Like a shot
Meaning: Very quickly, like a fired bullet.
Samples: He was out the door like a shot. / She jumped up like a shot when her name was called.
To Put it Another Way: He moved instantly. / She reacted very fast.
15. Jet speed
Meaning: As fast as a jet airplane.
Samples: The bike moved at jet speed down the hill. / She cleaned her room at jet speed.
To Put it Another Way: Very fast, like an airplane. / She finished in record time.
16. Like wildfire
Meaning: Spreads very quickly.
Samples: The news spread like wildfire through the school. / That video went viral like wildfire.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone knew about it fast. / It spread quickly to many people.
17. Like a rocket
Meaning: Moving fast and straight ahead.
Samples: The ball flew like a rocket. / She ran like a rocket to catch her bus.
To Put it Another Way: It went fast and straight. / She didn’t slow down at all.
18. In record time
Meaning: Faster than ever before.
Samples: He finished the puzzle in record time. / We set up the tent in record time.
To Put it Another Way: He was faster than usual. / We did it faster than ever.
19. Before you know it
Meaning: So fast that you hardly notice.
Samples: Summer break will be here before you know it. / She left the party before you knew it.
To Put it Another Way: It’ll happen soon. / You won’t even see it coming.
20. Like a speeding train
Meaning: Moving very quickly and powerfully.
Samples: He ran like a speeding train down the field. / The team came at us like a speeding train.
To Put it Another Way: He was fast and strong. / They didn’t slow down.
21. Fast as a cheetah
Meaning: Extremely fast, like the fastest land animal.
Samples: She ran fast as a cheetah in the race. / He dodged fast as a cheetah in the game.
To Put it Another Way: Very fast runner. / Quick like the wild cat.
22. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start something quickly and with energy.
Samples: She hit the ground running on the first day of school. / He hit the ground running at practice.
To Put it Another Way: She started fast. / He jumped right into the action.
23. Like a whirlwind
Meaning: Very fast and full of movement.
Samples: She cleaned the house like a whirlwind. / He came into the room like a whirlwind.
To Put it Another Way: Everything moved quickly and wildly. / It happened fast and all over the place.
24. As fast as your legs can carry you
Meaning: Run as quickly as you can.
Samples: He ran home as fast as his legs could carry him. / She chased the dog as fast as her legs could carry her.
To Put it Another Way: He ran as fast as possible. / She didn’t stop running.
25. At full speed
Meaning: Going as fast as possible.
Samples: The car drove at full speed. / She ran at full speed during the race.
To Put it Another Way: She was going all out. / It moved at top speed.
26. In overdrive
Meaning: Working or moving at very high speed.
Samples: His brain was in overdrive during the test. / The team was in overdrive trying to finish the project.
To Put it Another Way: They worked extra fast. / He was thinking very quickly.
27. On the double
Meaning: Do it very fast or right away.
Samples: Get to class on the double! / He cleaned up on the double.
To Put it Another Way: Right now, and fast. / Don’t waste time.
28. Like a blur
Meaning: So fast it was hard to see clearly.
Samples: She ran by like a blur. / The bike went past like a blur.
To Put it Another Way: It moved too fast to see. / I barely noticed it.
29. Gone in sixty seconds
Meaning: Gone or finished very quickly.
Samples: The cookies were gone in sixty seconds. / My lunch disappeared in sixty seconds.
To Put it Another Way: It was gone super fast. / Didn’t last long at all.
30. As slow as molasses
Meaning: Very slow.
Samples: He moved as slow as molasses in the morning. / The computer was as slow as molasses today.
To Put it Another Way: He was really slow. / Nothing was moving fast.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Speed
Reading Passage: “The Big Race Day”
It was race day at Jefferson Elementary. All the 5th graders lined up at the starting line. “Run as fast as your legs can carry you,” Coach shouted. As soon as the whistle blew, Noah took off like a rocket. Mia was right behind him, fast as a cheetah.
Everyone was cheering as the runners zoomed by like a blur. Sam was in overdrive, pumping his arms like greased lightning. “He’s moving at lightning speed!” someone shouted. Just then, Emma slipped past them in a flash, hitting the ground running.
The race was over in the blink of an eye. “That was like wildfire!” said one of the teachers. The kids laughed, high-fived, and caught their breath.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for speed you found in the story.
Answer Key
- As fast as your legs can carry you
- Like a rocket
- Fast as a cheetah
- Like a blur
- In overdrive
- Like greased lightning
- At lightning speed
- In a flash
Conclusion
Idioms for speed help us describe how fast or slow something happens in a fun way. Instead of just saying “he ran fast,” we can say “he ran like a rocket” or “at lightning speed.” These sayings add excitement and help others picture what we mean.
When you use idioms, your writing and speaking become more interesting. Try some of these next time you talk about something happening quickly or even slowly. They help show your ideas more clearly and keep your words fun to hear or read.
