27 Idioms for Fast: Expressions of Swiftness


Idioms are like the secret code of language. They give us colorful ways to describe things, and they often don’t mean exactly what the words say.

In this article, we’re diving into idioms for fast—phrases that help us express speed and swiftness in a fun and unique way.

So, let’s get started with these idiomatic expressions that’ll have you zooming along in no time!

idioms for fast

What is an idiom for fast?

Idioms are like little puzzles for your brain. They use words in ways that might seem strange at first, but they paint a vivid picture of a situation or action.


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1 / 20

What is a simile?

2 / 20

Identify the simile in the following sentence: “She swims like a fish.”

3 / 20

What is a metaphor?

4 / 20

Which of the following is a metaphor?

5 / 20

What is an idiom?

6 / 20

What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

7 / 20

What is an adjective?

8 / 20

Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

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What is an abbreviation?

10 / 20

What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

11 / 20

What is a verb?

12 / 20

Identify the verb in the following sentence: “The cat sleeps on the sofa.”

13 / 20

“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

14 / 20

Which of the following is an adjective?

15 / 20

The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

16 / 20

Choose the metaphor in the following sentence: “Time is a thief.”

17 / 20

What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

18 / 20

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

19 / 20

“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

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Identify the verb in this sentence: “They whispered secrets into the night.”

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When we say someone is “fast as lightning,” we’re not talking about their ability to generate electricity. We’re saying they’re incredibly quick!

Now, let’s explore some idioms for fast and understand what they mean:

IdiomMeaningExample Sentence
In the fast laneTo live a fast-paced, exciting life.Ever since he moved to the city, he’s been living life in the fast lane, always on the go.
Fast as lightningExtremely quick or speedy.Her response to the question was as fast as lightning; she didn’t even need to think.
Quick as a winkHappening in an instant, without delay.He finished his homework quick as a wink and then went out to play.
Faster than a speeding bulletIncredibly fast, like a superhero in a comic book.The car raced down the highway faster than a speeding bullet.
Speed demonSomeone who loves to drive fast or do things quickly.Dave’s always been a speed demon on the skateboard, doing tricks that amaze us.
Greased lightningExtremely fast and smooth.With the new computer, tasks at the office are completed like greased lightning.
Like a bat out of hellTo move or act with great speed and urgency.When the fire alarm went off, everyone evacuated the building like a bat out of hell.
On the fast trackIn a position or situation that leads to quick success.After graduating with honors, she’s on the fast track to a successful career.
Like a whirlwindTo do something quickly and energetically, often leaving a trail of chaos.She cleaned the entire house like a whirlwind before the guests arrived.
Zooming alongMoving rapidly and smoothly.The bicycle zoomed along the winding path, making it a thrilling ride.
Like a rocketTo move or progress very quickly.After the team implemented the new software, productivity took off like a rocket.
Like a bullet trainTo move at an incredibly high speed.The new sports car accelerates like a bullet train, leaving others behind.
In the blink of an eyeHappening so quickly that it’s almost imperceptible.The magician made the rabbit disappear in the blink of an eye.
Swift as a deerMoving gracefully and quickly.The athlete ran the marathon, swift as a deer, and finished first.
Speeding like a maniacDriving recklessly and excessively fast.The police officer pulled over the driver for speeding like a maniac on the highway.
Rapid as a cheetahMoving with the incredible speed of a cheetah.The internet connection in the new office is as rapid as a cheetah, making downloads lightning fast.
Like a tornadoMoving or acting with great speed and causing chaos.When he enters a room, it’s like a tornado of energy and excitement.
Quick as a hiccupHappening so quickly that it’s almost unnoticeable.She solved the math problem, quick as a hiccup, surprising everyone.
Quick as a foxVery clever and able to think and act quickly.Jack is quick as a fox when it comes to solving puzzles.
Like a jackrabbitTo move with sudden speed and agility.When the alarm went off, everyone left the building like a jackrabbit.
Like a runaway trainOut of control and moving at a very high speed.The project turned into a disaster, running like a runaway train.
Fast and furiousMoving or happening rapidly and with great intensity.The storm hit the coast fast and furious, causing significant damage.
At the speed of soundMoving as fast as the sound travels through the air.The car reached its top speed and was now traveling at the speed of sound.
Like a racehorseTo move or perform with incredible speed and energy.The athlete sprinted across the finish line like a racehorse.
Running like the windRunning at a very high speed, often effortlessly.She’s an excellent sprinter; she was running like the wind during the race.
Like a hot knife through butterTo cut through something easily and swiftly.With the new chef’s knife, slicing vegetables is like a hot knife through butter.
Like a shotTo move or act very quickly.As soon as the bell rang, he left the classroom like a shot.

Speeding like a bullet train, he dashed across the finish line. If you’re looking for more comparisons to describe something as fast, you can click on this link: Similes for fast. And for a variety of metaphors depicting speed, you can explore this link: Metaphors for fast.

Idioms for Fast

1. In the fast lane

Meaning: To live a fast-paced, exciting life.
In a Sentence: Ever since he moved to the city, he’s been living life in the fast lane, always on the go.

2. Fast as lightning

Meaning: Extremely quick or speedy.
In a Sentence: Her response to the question was as fast as lightning; she didn’t even need to think.

3. Quick as a wink

Meaning: Happening in an instant, without delay.
In a Sentence: He finished his homework quick as a wink and then went out to play.

4. Faster than a speeding bullet

Meaning: Incredibly fast, like a superhero in a comic book.
In a Sentence: The car raced down the highway faster than a speeding bullet.

5. Speed demon

Meaning: Someone who loves to drive fast or do things quickly.
In a Sentence: Dave’s always been a speed demon on the skateboard, doing tricks that amaze us.

6. Greased lightning

Meaning: Extremely fast and smooth.
In a Sentence: With the new computer, tasks at the office are completed like greased lightning.

7. Like a bat out of hell

Meaning: To move or act with great speed and urgency.
In a Sentence: When the fire alarm went off, everyone evacuated the building like a bat out of hell.

8. On the fast track

Meaning: In a position or situation that leads to quick success.
In a Sentence: After graduating with honors, she’s on the fast track to a successful career.

9. Like a whirlwind

Meaning: To do something quickly and energetically, often leaving a trail of chaos.
In a Sentence: She cleaned the entire house like a whirlwind before the guests arrived.

10. Zooming along

Meaning: Moving rapidly and smoothly.
In a Sentence: The bicycle zoomed along the winding path, making it a thrilling ride.

11. Like a rocket

Meaning: To move or progress very quickly.
In a Sentence: After the team implemented the new software, productivity took off like a rocket.

12. Like a bullet train

Meaning: To move at an incredibly high speed.
In a Sentence: The new sports car accelerates like a bullet train, leaving others behind.

13. In the blink of an eye

Meaning: Happening so quickly that it’s almost imperceptible.
In a Sentence: The magician made the rabbit disappear in the blink of an eye.

14. Swift as a deer

Meaning: Moving gracefully and quickly.
In a Sentence: The athlete ran the marathon, swift as a deer, and finished first.

15. Speeding like a maniac

Meaning: Driving recklessly and excessively fast.
In a Sentence: The police officer pulled over the driver for speeding like a maniac on the highway.

16. Rapid as a cheetah

Meaning: Moving with the incredible speed of a cheetah.
In a Sentence: The internet connection in the new office is as rapid as a cheetah, making downloads lightning fast.

17. Like a tornado

Meaning: Moving or acting with great speed and causing chaos.
In a Sentence: When he enters a room, it’s like a tornado of energy and excitement.

18. Quick as a hiccup

Meaning: Happening so quickly that it’s almost unnoticeable.
In a Sentence: She solved the math problem, quick as a hiccup, surprising everyone.

19. Quick as a fox

Meaning: Very clever and able to think and act quickly.
In a Sentence: Jack is quick as a fox when it comes to solving puzzles.

20. Like a jackrabbit

Meaning: To move with sudden speed and agility.
In a Sentence: When the alarm went off, everyone left the building like a jackrabbit.

21. Like a runaway train

Meaning: Out of control and moving at a very high speed.
In a Sentence: The project turned into a disaster, running like a runaway train.

22. Fast and furious

Meaning: Moving or happening rapidly and with great intensity.
In a Sentence: The storm hit the coast fast and furious, causing significant damage.

23. At the speed of sound

Meaning: Moving as fast as the sound travels through the air.
In a Sentence: The car reached its top speed and was now traveling at the speed of sound.

24. Like a racehorse

Meaning: To move or perform with incredible speed and energy.
In a Sentence: The athlete sprinted across the finish line like a racehorse.

25. Running like the wind

Meaning: Running at a very high speed, often effortlessly.
In a Sentence: She’s an excellent sprinter; she was running like the wind during the race.

26. Like a hot knife through butter

Meaning: To cut through something easily and swiftly.
In a Sentence: With the new chef’s knife, slicing vegetables is like a hot knife through butter.

27. Like a shot

Meaning: To move or act very quickly.
In a Sentence: As soon as the bell rang, he left the classroom like a shot.

Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article

Quiz 1:

Question: What does the idiom “In the fast lane” mean?

  1. To drive in the left lane on a highway.
  2. To live a slow-paced life.
  3. To live a fast-paced, exciting life.

Answer: 3. To live a fast-paced, exciting life.


Quiz 2:

Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Quick as a wink”?

  1. To blink your eyes quickly.
  2. To happen instantly, without delay.
  3. To slowly close your eyes before sleeping.

Answer: 2. To happen instantly, without delay.


Quiz 3:

Question: What does “Greased lightning” imply in the context of the idiom?

  1. Extremely fast and smooth.
  2. A source of energy.
  3. Something slippery.

Answer: 1. Extremely fast and smooth.


Quiz 4:

Question: When someone is described as “Like a bat out of hell,” what does it mean?

  1. They are as fast as a bat.
  2. They move or act with great speed and urgency.
  3. They are afraid of bats.

Answer: 2. They move or act with great speed and urgency.


Quiz 5:

Question: What does the idiom “On the fast track” suggest?

  1. Being on a train that moves quickly.
  2. Being in a position that leads to quick success.
  3. Being stuck in traffic.

Answer: 2. Being in a position that leads to quick success.


Quiz 6:

Question: How is the idiom “Like a whirlwind” typically used?

  1. To describe a type of weather phenomenon.
  2. To do something quickly and energetically, often leaving a trail of chaos.
  3. To describe a peaceful and calm environment.

Answer: 2. To do something quickly and energetically, often leaving a trail of chaos.


Quiz 7:

Question: What does “In the blink of an eye” mean in the context of the idiom?

  1. In the time it takes to blink your eyes.
  2. Happening so quickly that it’s almost imperceptible.
  3. In a slow and gradual manner.

Answer: 2. Happening so quickly that it’s almost imperceptible.


Quiz 8:

Question: How is the idiom “Like a jackrabbit” typically used?

  1. To describe someone who is jumpy.
  2. To move with sudden speed and agility.
  3. To describe someone who is slow and clumsy.

Answer: 2. To move with sudden speed and agility.


Quiz 9:

Question: What does “Fast and furious” imply in the context of the idiom?

  1. To be in a hurry.
  2. Moving or happening rapidly and with great intensity.
  3. To be angry and impatient.

Answer: 2. Moving or happening rapidly and with great intensity.


Quiz 10:

Question: What is the meaning of “Like a shot” in the idiom?

  1. To move quickly like a gunshot.
  2. To take a shot of alcohol.
  3. To move or act very quickly.

Answer: 3. To move or act very quickly.

Conclusion

Idioms for fast add zest to our language by describing speed and swiftness in unique and creative ways. These expressions are like shortcuts to understanding, helping us paint vivid mental pictures of events and actions happening quickly.

Cite this entry:

Phrasesdirectory.com. “,” Retrieved from Phrases Directory – Accessed

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