Idioms are fun phrases where the words together have a special meaning that is different from the literal meaning of each separate word. People use them in everyday conversations to make their speech colorful, engaging, and expressive. In this article, you will learn fifty interesting idioms about moving quickly, going fast, and showing speed.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean moving quickly, rushing, or showing speed. Let us get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Speed
1. In the blink of an eye
Definition: Happening extremely quickly in a fraction of a second.
Used in a Sentence: The magician made the coin disappear in the blink of an eye. / The soccer ball flew past the goalie in the blink of an eye.
Similar Expressions: Very quickly / In a flash
2. At breakneck speed
Definition: Moving or working with dangerously fast and reckless speed.
Used in a Sentence: The racing bicycle zoomed down the hill at breakneck speed. / She typed her essay at breakneck speed to finish before the bell rang.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / Reckless speed
3. Like greased lightning
Definition: Moving with incredible, blinding speed.
Used in a Sentence: When the starter pistol fired, the sprinter shot down the track like greased lightning. / The firefighter grabbed the hose and moved like greased lightning.
Similar Expressions: Super fast / Blinding speed
4. Hit the gas
Definition: To speed up a vehicle quickly or increase your pace of work.
Used in a Sentence: The race car driver hit the gas as soon as the corner cleared. / We need to hit the gas if we want to finish this project before lunch.
Similar Expressions: Speed up / Accelerate quickly
5. Quick on the draw
Definition: Being able to react, think, or act with immediate speed.
Used in a Sentence: The trivia champion was always quick on the draw with the correct answers. / You have to be quick on the draw to catch falling objects.
Similar Expressions: Fast responder / Quick thinker
6. Faster than a speeding bullet
Definition: Moving with legendary, superhero-like velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The toy rocket shot across the backyard faster than a speeding bullet. / He rushed to catch the dropping glass faster than a speeding bullet.
Similar Expressions: Supersonic speed / Instantaneous motion
7. Make tracks
Definition: To leave a location quickly by moving fast.
Used in a Sentence: When we saw dark storm clouds rolling in, we decided to make tracks for home. / The kids heard their mom call dinner, so they made tracks across the yard.
Similar Expressions: Leave quickly / Hurry away
8. Swift as an arrow
Definition: Moving in a straight line with sharp, rapid velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The javelin flew across the sports field swift as an arrow. / The runner dashed across the gymnasium floor, swift as an arrow.
Similar Expressions: Direct dash / Rapid motion
9. Burning rubber
Definition: Accelerating so fast that wheels spin, or moving with intense haste.
Used in a Sentence: The delivery van started burning rubber as soon as the traffic light turned green. / He was late for practice, so he was burning rubber down the sidewalk.
Similar Expressions: Accelerate fast / Zoom away
10. In a heartbeat
Definition: Occurring instantly without any delay.
Used in a Sentence: When his friend offered him a slice of pizza, he accepted in a heartbeat. / She would agree to adopt a puppy in a heartbeat.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Without hesitation
11. Quick off the mark
Definition: Reacting and starting an activity or race with great promptness.
Used in a Sentence: Being quick off the mark helped him win the swimming race. / The student was quick off the mark to answer the teacher’s bonus question.
Similar Expressions: Fast start / Prompt reaction
12. At a rapid clip
Definition: Moving forward at a fast, steady pace.
Used in a Sentence: The hikers walked along the mountain trail at a rapid clip. / The reader turned the mystery book pages at a rapid clip.
Similar Expressions: Fast pace / Steady speed
13. Like a house on fire
Definition: Doing something with enormous speed, enthusiasm, and energy.
Used in a Sentence: The two new classmates became friends like a house on fire. / The cleanup crew cleared the gymnasium floor like a house on fire.
Similar Expressions: Very fast / Highly energetic
14. Skedaddle in a hurry
Definition: To run away or depart rapidly.
Used in a Sentence: The stray cat saw the barking dog and skedaddled in a hurry up a tree. / We had to skedaddle in a hurry when the park sprinklers turned on.
Similar Expressions: Scurry off / Run away fast
15. Run like the wind
Definition: To sprint or move forward with incredible velocity.
Used in a Sentence: When the soccer coach yelled to start the drill, the players ran like the wind. / He chased his runaway puppy across the park, running like the wind.
Similar Expressions: Sprint fast / Move swiftly
16. Fast and furious
Definition: An intense period of activity moving at a frantic speed.
Used in a Sentence: The final five minutes of the basketball game were fast and furious. / Working on the art project before the deadline was fast and furious.
Similar Expressions: Frantic speed / Intense action
17. In full swing
Definition: Operating at the highest speed, energy, and productivity level.
Used in a Sentence: By noon, the school carnival was in full swing with games and music. / The manufacturing line was in full swing by Tuesday morning.
Similar Expressions: Fully active / High gear
18. High gear
Definition: Operating at maximum speed and peak efficiency.
Used in a Sentence: The study group shifted into high gear the night before the history exam. / Once the team scored a goal, their offense went into high gear.
Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Full throttle
19. Full steam ahead
Definition: Proceeding with maximum speed and unstopped determination.
Used in a Sentence: With all approvals signed, the science club went full steam ahead on their robot. / The director gave permission, so the play preparations went full steam ahead.
Similar Expressions: Moving forward fast / Maximum effort
20. Put the pedal to the metal
Definition: To press down hard on a vehicle accelerator or push work to maximum speed.
Used in a Sentence: The race car driver put the pedal to the metal down the straightaway. / We need to put the pedal to the metal if we want to finish cleaning before guests arrive.
Similar Expressions: Maximize speed / Go all out
21. Speed along
Definition: To move down a track or path with smooth, continuous velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The track team watched their star runner speed along the lane. / Bicyclists love to speed along the paved coastal path on sunny days.
Similar Expressions: Move rapidly / Zoom along
22. Zip through something
Definition: To complete a task or journey with effortless speed.
Used in a Sentence: Because she studied hard, she managed to zip through the math test in twenty minutes. / The delivery driver zipped through traffic to drop off the package.
Similar Expressions: Finish quickly / Breeze through
23. Whiplash speed
Definition: Moving so fast that it causes sudden head-turning motion.
Used in a Sentence: The plot twist in the movie happened at whiplash speed. / The stock market values shifted at whiplash speed during the morning session.
Similar Expressions: Blinding velocity / Sudden fast change
24. Lightning-fast
Definition: Possessing the speed of a lightning strike.
Used in a Sentence: The video game character made a lightning-fast dodge to avoid the trap. / Her lightning-fast reflexes allowed her to catch the falling plate.
Similar Expressions: Instantaneous / Super quick
25. Swift as a deer
Definition: Running with the natural grace and speed of a wild animal.
Used in a Sentence: The soccer forward was swift as a deer, outpacing every defender. / Escaping the tagger, she bounded across the yard swift as a deer.
Similar Expressions: Gracefully fast / Wild speed
26. Flash past
Definition: To move past a stationary observer with extreme velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The scenery outside the train window flashed past in a blur. / Race cars flashed past the grandstands during the annual club event.
Similar Expressions: Zoom by / Whizz past
27. On a fast track
Definition: Progressing toward a goal with accelerated speed and efficiency.
Used in a Sentence: The talented young musician was on a fast track to joining the youth orchestra. / The new training program put employees on a fast track to promotion.
Similar Expressions: Accelerated path / Quick progress
28. Whizz along
Definition: To move quickly and smoothly while traveling.
Used in a Sentence: The kids on scooters whizzed along the smooth pavement of the park. / He whizzed along the running track during his morning training miles.
Similar Expressions: Glide fast / Speed smoothly
29. Tear down the road
Definition: To drive or run with reckless, exciting speed.
Used in a Sentence: The delivery truck tore down the road to make its schedule. / He strapped on his cleats and tore down the soccer field.
Similar Expressions: Sprint fast / Dash rapidly
30. Zoom past
Definition: To pass by with a loud zooming velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The roller skaters zoomed past us on the park pathway. / The speeding cyclist zoomed past the slower walkers on the sidewalk.
Similar Expressions: Speed by / Whizz past
31. Like greased lightning
Definition: Moving with extreme velocity and slick smoothness.
Used in a Sentence: The mechanic fixed the bicycle chain like greased lightning. / She packed her school bag like greased lightning when the bell rang.
Similar Expressions: In a flash / Super quick
32. In nothing flat
Definition: Completing a task or journey in an astonishingly short amount of time.
Used in a Sentence: He cleaned his entire bedroom in nothing flat so he could go outside to play. / The bakers decorated fifty cupcakes in nothing flat.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / In record time
33. Before you can say Jack Robinson
Definition: Happening so fast that you cannot even finish speaking a short phrase.
Used in a Sentence: The puppy ate his entire bowl of food before you could say Jack Robinson. / The lights went out and came back on before you could say Jack Robinson.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Very rapidly
34. Quick as a wink
Definition: Accomplished with the speed of a single eye blink.
Used in a Sentence: The clever pickpocket made the prop coin vanish quick as a wink. / She solved the puzzle riddle quick as a wink.
Similar Expressions: Very fast / Instantly
35. Swift as thought
Definition: Moving with the speed of mental imagination.
Used in a Sentence: The computer processor calculated the math equation swift as thought. / His reaction to the falling ball was swift as thought.
Similar Expressions: Instant action / Blinding speed
36. Race against time
Definition: Working at maximum velocity before a strict deadline runs out.
Used in a Sentence: Finishing our science experiment before the school bell rang felt like a race against time. / The rescue team raced against time to find the lost hiker before sunset.
Similar Expressions: Beat the clock / Urgent dash
37. Speed along the highway
Definition: To travel quickly down a paved road.
Used in a Sentence: The family car sped along the highway toward the mountain resort. / Delivery trucks speed along the highway to reach distribution centers.
Similar Expressions: Drive fast / Move swiftly
38. Fast lane
Definition: Living or working at a high-speed, exciting pace of life.
Used in a Sentence: Managing three different businesses means he lives life in the fast lane. / The tech startup industry operates in the fast lane of innovation.
Similar Expressions: High-speed life / Rapid pace
39. Hit warp speed
Definition: A playful science-fiction way to describe moving or working at maximum velocity.
Used in a Sentence: When the team received extra help, their project progress hit warp speed. / The computer downloads hit warp speed with the new internet router.
Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Full throttle
40. Leap forward
Definition: To advance in time, status, or position with rapid speed.
Used in a Sentence: Technology tends to leap forward every single year with new inventions. / The young programmer made a leap forward in software design skills.
Similar Expressions: Rapid advance / Quick jump
41. Fly past
Definition: Time or moving objects passing by with great velocity.
Used in a Sentence: Summer vacation seemed to fly past in just a few short weeks. / The jetliners flew past high above the fluffy clouds.
Similar Expressions: Pass quickly / Zoom overhead
42. Rocket ahead
Definition: To increase speed or progress upward with incredible velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The school fundraising total rocketed ahead after the local business donation. / The young athlete’s rankings rocketed ahead this season.
Similar Expressions: Surge forward / Rapid climb
43. Shoot past
Definition: To move past a marker or competitor with sudden speed.
Used in a Sentence: The red race car shot past the checkered flag. / She shot past the other runners on the final lap.
Similar Expressions: Zoom past / Rapid overtake
44. Rush headlong
Definition: To move forward quickly and carelessly without stopping.
Used in a Sentence: Do not rush headlong down the slippery hallway stairs. / The excited puppy rushed headlong into the pile of leaves.
Similar Expressions: Charge blindly / Run recklessly
45. Scurry along
Definition: To move with short, hurried steps showing swift motion.
Used in a Sentence: The mice scurried along the baseboard when the kitchen light turned on. / We had to scurry along the sidewalk to avoid the puddle splash.
Similar Expressions: Hurry along / Scuttle fast
46. Dash away
Definition: To leave a location quickly by moving off at high speed.
Used in a Sentence: After checking his watch, he realized he was late and had to dash away. / The puppy grabbed a toy and dashed away across the rug.
Similar Expressions: Run off / Flee quickly
47. Hie away
Definition: An old-fashioned way to tell someone to go or move quickly.
Used in a Sentence: The fairy tale knight told his squire to hie away to the castle. / We needed to hie away before the store closed for the evening.
Similar Expressions: Hurry off / Depart fast
48. Step on it
Definition: An informal command telling someone to increase their speed or hurry up.
Used in a Sentence: The taxi driver told his passenger to step on it to catch the train. / Mom said to step on it so we wouldn’t miss the movie opening.
Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Speed up
49. Move like greased lightning
Definition: An expanded phrase for executing physical tasks with blinding speed.
Used in a Sentence: The kitchen staff moved like greased lightning during the busy lunch rush. / He packed his backpack like greased lightning.
Similar Expressions: Super fast / Instant action
50. Sprint to the finish
Definition: To use all remaining energy to move as fast as possible at the end.
Used in a Sentence: Exhausted but determined, she made a fierce sprint to the finish line. / The team made a final sprint to the finish of the semester projects.
Similar Expressions: Final dash / End sprint
Exercise to Practice
- The magician made the coin disappear in the blink of an eye.
- The racing bicycle zoomed down the hill at breakneck speed while playing a quiet game of chess.
- When the starter pistol fired, the sprinter shot down the track like greased lightning.
- The race car driver hit the gas as soon as the corner cleared while baking a chocolate cake in the kitchen.
- The trivia champion was always quick on the draw with the correct answers.
- The toy rocket shot across the backyard faster than a speeding bullet while reading a history textbook.
- When we saw dark storm clouds rolling in, we decided to make tracks for home.
- The javelin flew across the sports field swift as an arrow by swimming in a deep pool.
- The delivery van started burning rubber as soon as the traffic light turned green.
- He was late for practice, so he was burning rubber down the sidewalk while running a fast marathon race outside.
- When his friend offered him a slice of pizza, he accepted in a heartbeat.
- Being quick off the mark helped him win the swimming race by driving a red race car.
- The hikers walked along the mountain trail at a rapid clip.
- The two new classmates became friends like a house on fire while sleeping soundly in a cozy bed.
- The cleanup crew cleared the gymnasium floor like a house on fire.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you describe moving quickly, rushing, and showing speed using colorful and engaging language. By practicing them regularly, you can make your everyday writing and conversations much more expressive.
Try using one or two of these expressions the next time you write a story about a fast race or talk about rushing to school with friends. You will find that using clever idioms makes sharing stories about speed a lot more fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for speed?
Some popular choices include saying something happened in the blink of an eye, at breakneck speed, or like greased lightning. These expressions help people describe fast movement in a creative way.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms add charm, color, and vivid imagery to our speech by using figurative meanings instead of plain literal words. They help us share everyday abstract concepts like velocity and quickness through memorable expressions.
How can students learn these expressions easily?
Students can learn idioms best by connecting them to sports races, vehicle travel, or everyday rushing moments. Using them in simple sentences helps them stick in your memory.
Are these idioms okay to use in formal writing?
Most of these idioms work wonderfully in personal stories, creative essays, or casual presentations. However, strict academic research papers usually require more direct vocabulary.
Do all English speakers understand these speed idioms?
Yes, most of these expressions are widely recognized across English-speaking regions, though slight regional variations in phrasing can sometimes occur.
