Sometimes we need to talk about doing things fast. We may see someone run fast or finish a task very quickly. People use special phrases to describe these actions. These are called idioms. Idioms are fun and different. They don’t always mean what the words say, but people understand what they mean when they hear them often.
Idioms for quick help us describe fast actions in fun ways. Instead of just saying “he was fast,” we can say “he was quick as lightning.” These phrases help us talk in a more exciting way. In this article, we will learn about many idioms that show speed. You will see how they are used and how they make speaking and writing more fun.
Idioms for Quick
1. Quick as a flash
Meaning: Very fast
To Provide an Example: She grabbed her toy as quick as a flash. / He ran to the bus stop quick as a flash.
Alternative Meaning: Moving fast / No delay
2. In a jiffy
Meaning: In a very short time
To Provide an Example: I’ll clean up my room in a jiffy. / He’ll be back in a jiffy.
Alternative Meaning: Very soon / Right away
3. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Right away without waiting
To Provide an Example: She helps her brother at the drop of a hat. / He leaves for Grandma’s house at the drop of a hat.
Alternative Meaning: With no delay / Very fast action
4. Like lightning
Meaning: Very fast like a storm
To Provide an Example: He finished his homework like lightning. / She dashed to the door like lightning.
Alternative Meaning: Super fast / In a blink
5. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly
To Provide an Example: We got ready in no time. / Mom made breakfast in no time.
Alternative Meaning: Very short time / Fast work
6. Before you know it
Meaning: Something happens so fast you almost miss it
To Provide an Example: The school day ended before you know it. / He finished lunch before you know it.
Alternative Meaning: Very quickly / Fast moment
7. Like a shot
Meaning: With great speed
To Provide an Example: He ran out the door like a shot. / She got up like a shot when she heard ice cream.
Alternative Meaning: Super quick / Instantly
8. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: So fast it’s done before you can blink
To Provide an Example: The balloon flew away in the blink of an eye. / The puppy ran off in the blink of an eye.
Alternative Meaning: Super short time / Happened fast
9. Snap of the fingers
Meaning: Done very quickly
To Provide an Example: He cleaned his desk in a snap of the fingers. / She got dressed in a snap.
Alternative Meaning: Instant / Quick action
10. Up and at ’em
Meaning: Ready to go fast
To Provide an Example: He was up and at ’em early. / She was up and at ’em for the field trip.
Alternative Meaning: Fast start / Quick to act
11. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast
To Provide an Example: He ran like greased lightning. / She zipped through the hallway like greased lightning.
Alternative Meaning: Zooming fast / Very quick
12. Like a rocket
Meaning: Takes off quickly
To Provide an Example: He left the house like a rocket. / She jumped up like a rocket when she saw the cake.
Alternative Meaning: Starts fast / Moves with speed
13. Faster than a speeding bullet
Meaning: Super fast
To Provide an Example: He ran faster than a speeding bullet. / She cleaned her room faster than a speeding bullet.
Alternative Meaning: Fast as can be / No stopping
14. On the double
Meaning: Quickly
To Provide an Example: Come downstairs on the double! / Finish your snack on the double!
Alternative Meaning: Without waiting / Hurry up
15. Pronto
Meaning: Right now
To Provide an Example: Clean up your toys pronto! / Get your coat pronto!
Alternative Meaning: Quick time / No waiting
16. In a snap
Meaning: Very quick
To Provide an Example: The puzzle was done in a snap. / He found his shoes in a snap.
Alternative Meaning: Done fast / Easy and quick
17. Quick as a bunny
Meaning: Fast like a rabbit
To Provide an Example: She ran quick as a bunny. / He picked up his toys quick as a bunny.
Alternative Meaning: Very fast / No slowing down
18. Lickety-split
Meaning: Very fast
To Provide an Example: He got ready lickety-split. / She ran to class lickety-split.
Alternative Meaning: No time wasted / Quick move
19. In a flash
Meaning: Super fast
To Provide an Example: She got dressed in a flash. / He finished dinner in a flash.
Alternative Meaning: Right away / Really quick
20. Quick as a wink
Meaning: Just as fast as a blink
To Provide an Example: The magic trick was over quick as a wink. / She was gone quick as a wink.
Alternative Meaning: Fast and sneaky / Really fast
21. Speedy Gonzales
Meaning: Someone who moves very fast
To Provide an Example: He zipped down the slide like Speedy Gonzales. / She ran across the playground like Speedy Gonzales.
Alternative Meaning: Always fast / Super quick kid
22. Quick off the mark
Meaning: Reacts fast
To Provide an Example: He was quick off the mark when the bell rang. / She was quick off the mark to raise her hand.
Alternative Meaning: First to act / Fast response
23. With lightning speed
Meaning: Moving as fast as lightning
To Provide an Example: The kids cleaned up with lightning speed. / He answered with lightning speed.
Alternative Meaning: Very fast / Done right away
24. Just like that
Meaning: Happens suddenly
To Provide an Example: Just like that, he was gone. / Just like that, she was done.
Alternative Meaning: Fast / Quick surprise
25. Right quick
Meaning: In a hurry
To Provide an Example: We’ll eat right quick before the movie. / Get your coat right quick!
Alternative Meaning: Fast / No delay
26. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Very fast decision or action
To Provide an Example: I’d help you in a heartbeat. / She said yes in a heartbeat.
Alternative Meaning: Right away / No waiting
27. Whip up
Meaning: Make or do something quickly
To Provide an Example: Mom whipped up dinner in minutes. / He whipped up a drawing for class.
Alternative Meaning: Fast work / Quick creation
28. Get cracking
Meaning: Start quickly
To Provide an Example: Let’s get cracking on our project! / She got cracking on her homework.
Alternative Meaning: Begin fast / Get moving
29. Off like a shot
Meaning: Leaves very quickly
To Provide an Example: He was off like a shot after the bell. / She left the room off like a shot.
Alternative Meaning: Super fast / No stopping
30. Fast on your feet
Meaning: Thinks or moves quickly
To Provide an Example: He’s fast on his feet in tag. / She’s fast on her feet with answers.
Alternative Meaning: Quick thinker / Moves fast
31. Quick as a hiccup
Meaning: Very quick
To Provide an Example: That hug was quick as a hiccup. / He answered the question quick as a hiccup.
Alternative Meaning: Fast and short / Over quickly
32. At full speed
Meaning: Moving as fast as possible
To Provide an Example: The dog ran at full speed. / She cleaned at full speed.
Alternative Meaning: Max speed / Very quick
33. Like wildfire
Meaning: Spreads or happens fast
To Provide an Example: News spread like wildfire. / Excitement grew like wildfire.
Alternative Meaning: Fast moving / Happens quickly
34. All in a rush
Meaning: Done in a hurry
To Provide an Example: We got ready all in a rush. / He packed all in a rush.
Alternative Meaning: Fast / Not slow
35. In an instant
Meaning: Happens suddenly
To Provide an Example: She made a choice in an instant. / He ran away in an instant.
Alternative Meaning: Right away / Very quick
36. In a whirl
Meaning: So fast it feels like spinning
To Provide an Example: The day went by in a whirl. / She got dressed in a whirl.
Alternative Meaning: Fast and busy / Quick pace
37. Quick as a whip
Meaning: Very sharp and fast
To Provide an Example: She’s quick as a whip with math. / He answered quick as a whip.
Alternative Meaning: Fast thinking / Fast response
38. Zip through
Meaning: Move or finish quickly
To Provide an Example: He zipped through his chores. / She zipped through her snack.
Alternative Meaning: Move fast / Finish fast
39. Dash off
Meaning: Leave or do something quickly
To Provide an Example: She dashed off to recess. / He dashed off his drawing.
Alternative Meaning: Rush / Quick start
40. Rush job
Meaning: Done very quickly
To Provide an Example: That poster looks like a rush job. / He did his spelling list as a rush job.
Alternative Meaning: Quick work / Not slow
41. Done in a blink
Meaning: Over very quickly
To Provide an Example: The show was done in a blink. / His snack was gone in a blink.
Alternative Meaning: Super quick / Over fast
42. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish before time runs out
To Provide an Example: He beat the clock on the test. / She beat the clock cleaning up.
Alternative Meaning: Finish fast / No time left
43. Zip by
Meaning: Move past very fast
To Provide an Example: The car zipped by. / Recess zipped by.
Alternative Meaning: Passed quickly / Fast event
44. Quick turnaround
Meaning: Done quickly and returned
To Provide an Example: The library had a quick turnaround on the books. / He gave back my pencil with a quick turnaround.
Alternative Meaning: Returned fast / Short wait
45. In short order
Meaning: Very soon
To Provide an Example: We got to the store in short order. / The teacher called our names in short order.
Alternative Meaning: Right away / Quickly
46. Zoom off
Meaning: Go away quickly
To Provide an Example: He zoomed off on his bike. / She zoomed off to the park.
Alternative Meaning: Fast leave / Quick move
47. Make quick work
Meaning: Finish something fast
To Provide an Example: He made quick work of the puzzle. / She made quick work of her lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Fast job / Done quickly
48. Speed off
Meaning: Go away very fast
To Provide an Example: The car sped off. / He sped off to soccer.
Alternative Meaning: Left fast / Zoom away
49. Snap decision
Meaning: A fast choice
To Provide an Example: He made a snap decision to join the game. / She made a snap decision on what to wear.
Alternative Meaning: Quick thought / Instant choice
50. Wrap up fast
Meaning: Finish quickly
To Provide an Example: We wrapped up the party fast. / She wrapped up her painting fast.
Alternative Meaning: Close it quick / Done soon
Trials for Success: Idioms for Quick
- Emma tied her shoes __________ so she wouldn’t miss the bus.
- Dad cooked breakfast __________ and we were out the door.
- The puppy ran through the yard __________.
- She grabbed her backpack __________ and ran outside.
- The kids cleaned the classroom __________ after recess.
- We got to Grandma’s house __________.
- Tommy zipped through his math sheet __________.
- I made a choice __________ when I saw the last red crayon.
- The cat jumped off the sofa __________.
- The baby fell asleep __________.
- My brother ran to the ice cream truck __________.
- The news about the snow day spread __________.
- I finished the puzzle __________ and went to play.
- She answered the teacher’s question __________.
- He dashed off the stairs __________ when he smelled cookies.
Answer Key
- in a jiffy
- in a flash
- like lightning
- at the drop of a hat
- lickety-split
- in no time
- like a rocket
- in a heartbeat
- quick as a flash
- in the blink of an eye
- like greased lightning
- like wildfire
- in a snap
- quick as a whip
- off like a shot
Conclusion
Idioms for quick help us talk about things that happen fast. These phrases make speaking and writing more fun. Instead of just saying “fast,” we can use many different ways to show speed.
You can say “in a flash” or “like a rocket” to make your words more exciting. These idioms help us tell stories better. Try using them when you talk or write. It’s a fun way to share ideas with others.
