Idioms are special figurative phrases where the words together create a meaning completely different from what they say individually. People use them in everyday speech to make their descriptions of quick movement more colorful, vivid, and fun. In this article, you will learn fifty unique idioms related to fast speed and rapid movement.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean moving quickly, rushing, and traveling at high speeds. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Fast Speed
1. Lightning fast
Definition: Moving with incredible speed, as fast as a flash of lightning in the sky.
Used in a Sentence: The star soccer player was lightning fast as he sprinted past all the defenders. / Her typing fingers were lightning fast when she finished the computer test.
Similar Expressions: Extremely quick / Blazing speed
2. At breakneck speed
Definition: Moving dangerously or extraordinarily fast.
Used in a Sentence: The skateboarder rode down the steep hill at breakneck speed. / We had to pack our bags at breakneck speed to catch the morning bus.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / Dangerously quick
3. In a flash
Definition: Happening or moving in an instant, extremely fast.
Used in a Sentence: The helpful mechanic fixed my bicycle tire in a flash. / When the teacher offered free stickers, the students gathered around in a flash.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Very quickly
4. Like greased lightning
Definition: Moving with extreme speed and smoothness.
Used in a Sentence: He grabbed his dropped pencil like greased lightning before it rolled away. / The delivery truck sped down the highway like greased lightning.
Similar Expressions: Super fast / Blazing speed
5. At full throttle
Definition: Operating or moving at maximum speed and power.
Used in a Sentence: The race cars sped around the track at full throttle during the final lap. / She worked at full throttle to finish her art project before the bell rang.
Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Full speed
6. Burning rubber
Definition: Driving or moving forward with rapid acceleration and speed.
Used in a Sentence: The school bus started burning rubber to make up for lost time on the route. / If we want to reach the park before sunset, we need to start burning rubber.
Similar Expressions: Accelerating fast / Racing ahead
7. Speed demon
Definition: A person who moves, runs, or drives at an extremely fast pace.
Used in a Sentence: My older brother is a speed demon when he rides his bicycle down the trail. / She is a speed demon on the playground slide.
Similar Expressions: Fast mover / Rapid runner
8. Like a bat out of hell
Definition: Moving away or running with sudden, frantic, and extreme speed.
Used in a Sentence: When the stray dog started barking, the cat ran away like a bat out of hell. / He dashed out of the classroom like a bat out of hell when the dismissal bell rang.
Similar Expressions: Racing furiously / Running wildly fast
9. Swift as an arrow
Definition: Moving straight and with great swiftness toward a destination.
Used in a Sentence: The soccer ball flew swift as an arrow straight into the back of the net. / The trained falcon was swift as an arrow in flight.
Similar Expressions: Very swift / Arrow-fast
10. Flying high
Definition: Moving or soaring rapidly through the air with great speed.
Used in a Sentence: The toy airplane soared flying high across the open gymnasium. / The hawk was flying high above the mountain ridges.
Similar Expressions: Soaring fast / Moving swiftly aloft
11. Quick as a wink
Definition: Happening in the blink of an eye, very quickly.
Used in a Sentence: The magician made the coin disappear quick as a wink. / She solved the easy math riddle quick as a wink.
Similar Expressions: Instantaneously / Very fast
12. Quick as a bunny
Definition: Moving with light, bouncy, and swift steps.
Used in a Sentence: The toddler hopped across the grass quick as a bunny. / He retrieved the dropped tennis ball quick as a bunny.
Similar Expressions: Swiftly / Nimble and fast
13. Like a house on fire
Definition: Progressing with intense speed, energy, and rapid movement.
Used in a Sentence: Once we started cleaning the playroom, the chores went like a house on fire. / They became friends like a house on fire on their first day of camp.
Similar Expressions: Very rapidly / With great speed
14. Swift as the wind
Definition: Moving with effortless and incredible speed, like a gust of wind.
Used in a Sentence: The gray horse galloped across the open pasture swift as the wind. / She raced down the downhill ski slope swift as the wind.
Similar Expressions: Wind-fast / Extremely swift
15. In double quick time
Definition: Finishing a task or journey much faster than usual.
Used in a Sentence: Mom told us to pack our toys in double quick time so we could go outside. / The crew cleared the lunch tables in double quick time.
Similar Expressions: Very rapidly / In a hurry
16. Fast lane
Definition: A lifestyle or movement characterized by rapid pace and high speed.
Used in a Sentence: Moving to the bustling city felt like diving straight into the fast lane. / He enjoyed the fast lane of competitive running sports.
Similar Expressions: Rapid pace / Quick lane
17. Hit the gas
Definition: To speed up quickly or accelerate a vehicle or action.
Used in a Sentence: The driver had to hit the gas to merge safely onto the highway. / We need to hit the gas on our science project to finish by Friday.
Similar Expressions: Speed up / Accelerate
18. Put the pedal to the metal
Definition: To press down hard on acceleration to achieve maximum speed.
Used in a Sentence: During the final lap of the race, we put the pedal to the metal. / Put the pedal to the metal and finish those last push-ups!
Similar Expressions: Go maximum speed / Speed up
19. Tear along
Definition: To move or travel along a path with great speed.
Used in a Sentence: We saw the cyclists tear along the paved bike trail near the river. / The puppy loved to tear along the hallway during playtime.
Similar Expressions: Rush along / Sprint forward
20. Whiz by
Definition: To pass someone or something with a sharp, rushing sound of high speed.
Used in a Sentence: The red sports car began to whiz by our house on the street. / Fast bicycles seemed to whiz by us during the race.
Similar Expressions: Rush past / Zoom by
21. Zoom past
Definition: To travel past a location very quickly.
Used in a Sentence: The express train started to zoom past the small countryside station. / A skateboarder managed to zoom past us on the sidewalk.
Similar Expressions: Speed by / Dart past
22. Dart away
Definition: To make a sudden, swift movement in a new direction.
Used in a Sentence: The frightened rabbit decided to dart away into the tall bushes. / She saw the butterfly land and then dart away.
Similar Expressions: Rush off / Zap away
23. Fly through
Definition: To complete an activity or move through a space with great speed.
Used in a Sentence: Because she studied all week, she managed to fly through her math test. / The swallows flew through the evening sky in search of insects.
Similar Expressions: Move rapidly / Breeze through
24. Race against time
Definition: Rushing urgently because speed is necessary before a deadline.
Used in a Sentence: We were in a race against time to finish our history project before the bell. / The rescue team ran a race against time to find the lost hiker.
Similar Expressions: Urgent rushing / Beating the clock
25. High speed chase
Definition: Moving swiftly while pursuing or escaping someone rapidly.
Used in a Sentence: The police car engaged in a high speed chase down the wide boulevard. / Playing tag on bicycles turned into a fun high speed chase.
Similar Expressions: Rapid pursuit / Fast running
26. Step on it
Definition: An expression used to tell someone to increase their speed or hurry up.
Used in a Sentence: Step on it if we want to catch the beginning of the movie. / The coach told the runners to step on it during the final drill.
Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Move faster
27. Shake a leg
Definition: A lively idiom meaning to move faster or hurry your actions.
Used in a Sentence: Shake a leg and get onto the school bus before the doors close. / We need to shake a leg if we want to finish packing before dark.
Similar Expressions: Hurry along / Move quickly
28. Speed up
Definition: To increase your rate of movement or work pace.
Used in a Sentence: The bicyclist had to speed up to climb the steep hill successfully. / Please speed up your handwriting so we can finish the worksheet.
Similar Expressions: Accelerate / Go faster
29. Rush headlong
Definition: To move forward quickly and recklessly without stopping.
Used in a Sentence: The eager puppy rushed headlong into the pile of autumn leaves. / Do not rush headlong into a difficult task without reading the directions.
Similar Expressions: Plunge forward / Rush blindly
30. Go like the wind
Definition: To run or travel with incredible, wind-like speed.
Used in a Sentence: The greyhound dog went like the wind across the racing track. / Once he got his new roller skates, he went like the wind.
Similar Expressions: Move swiftly / Run very fast
31. Zip along
Definition: To travel forward smoothly and quickly.
Used in a Sentence: The small motorboat began to zip along the calm surface of the lake. / Our typing practice let us zip along the keyboard.
Similar Expressions: Move briskly / Cruise fast
32. Flash past
Definition: To move past someone’s field of vision in an instant.
Used in a Sentence: The brightly colored race cars began to flash past the grandstands. / Streetlights seemed to flash past our car window at night.
Similar Expressions: Dart by / Shoot past
33. Shoot ahead
Definition: To rapidly move in front of others during a race or competition.
Used in a Sentence: The red runner managed to shoot ahead during the final turn. / Our boat started to shoot ahead of the others on the river.
Similar Expressions: Surge forward / Pull ahead fast
34. Sail through
Definition: To move rapidly and effortlessly through a task or obstacle.
Used in a Sentence: With good preparation, our team will sail through the obstacle course. / She managed to sail through her chores in twenty minutes.
Similar Expressions: Breeze through / Move effortlessly
35. Scramble fast
Definition: To move quickly using your hands and feet in a hurried rush.
Used in a Sentence: We had to scramble fast to grab our coats when the rain started. / The kids scrambled fast up the grassy hill to watch the sunset.
Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Scurry rapidly
36. Scurry along
Definition: To move with short, quick, hurried steps like a small animal.
Used in a Sentence: The little field mouse scurried along the garden stone path. / We scurried along the hallway to make it to class before the bell.
Similar Expressions: Hurry quickly / Rush along
37. Tear around
Definition: To run or drive around a place in a fast and energetic manner.
Used in a Sentence: The golden retriever puppies loved to tear around the fenced backyard. / Children love to tear around the playground during afternoon recess.
Similar Expressions: Run wildly / Dash about
38. Dash off
Definition: To leave a place or write something down very quickly.
Used in a Sentence: He had to dash off to soccer practice right after school ended. / I can dash off a quick note to remind you about the meeting.
Similar Expressions: Leave quickly / Write rapidly
39. Fly away
Definition: To move rapidly upward and outward into the sky.
Used in a Sentence: The colorful kite caught a strong gust of wind and began to fly away. / Frightened by the loud noise, the flock of birds started to fly away.
Similar Expressions: Soar off / Depart swiftly
40. Rocket upward
Definition: To shoot up or increase in position with incredible velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The model rocket began to rocket upward into the blue sky. / Her score on the spelling test seemed to rocket upward.
Similar Expressions: Shoot up fast / Soar rapidly
41. Leap forward
Definition: To make a sudden, energetic jump or rapid advancement.
Used in a Sentence: The athletic cat could leap forward across the wide garden ditch. / Technology tends to leap forward every single year.
Similar Expressions: Jump ahead / Advance fast
42. Bound away
Definition: To move forward with quick, springing leaps and high speed.
Used in a Sentence: The deer saw us and decided to bound away into the forest. / The happy puppy bounded away across the lawn.
Similar Expressions: Leap away / Spring off
43. Rip through
Definition: To move through an area or task with destructive or powerful speed.
Used in a Sentence: A sudden autumn windstorm started to rip through the valley trees. / She tried to rip through her homework so she could watch a movie.
Similar Expressions: Tear through / Move forcefully
44. Sweep past
Definition: To move smoothly, gracefully, and rapidly past a point.
Used in a Sentence: The racing sailboat managed to sweep past the buoy first. / A gust of wind seemed to sweep past our front porch.
Similar Expressions: Glide quickly / Move rapidly
45. Bolt out
Definition: To run away or exit a room with sudden, unexpected speed.
Used in a Sentence: When the front gate opened, the dog tried to bolt out into the street. / He got startled by the noise and decided to bolt out the door.
Similar Expressions: Dash out / Run suddenly
46. Charge ahead
Definition: To move forward aggressively and quickly toward a goal.
Used in a Sentence: The rugby players decided to charge ahead through the defensive line. / We must charge ahead with our community cleanup plan.
Similar Expressions: Push forward / Advance rapidly
47. Hie away
Definition: An old-fashioned way of telling someone to hurry off somewhere.
Used in a Sentence: Grandmother told us to hie away to the store before it started raining. / He decided to hie away to the library to study in peace.
Similar Expressions: Hurry off / Rush away
48. Skedaddle
Definition: A playful slang term meaning to run away or leave very quickly.
Used in a Sentence: When the park ranger appeared, the mischievous raccoons decided to skedaddle. / We better skedaddle if we want to beat the traffic home.
Similar Expressions: Hurry away / Flee fast
49. Hustle and bustle
Definition: Energetic, fast-paced movement of busy people in a city.
Used in a Sentence: We loved visiting the market to experience the hustle and bustle of downtown. / The morning commute was filled with hustle and bustle.
Similar Expressions: Busy rush / Rapid activity
50. Whiz bang
Definition: Describing something that moves with incredible speed and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The new electric scooter was a whiz bang vehicle on the sidewalk. / He built a whiz bang model airplane that flew across the park.
Similar Expressions: Super fast / High speed
Exercise to Practice
- The star soccer player was lightning fast as he sprinted past all the defenders.
- The skateboarder rode down the steep hill at a very slow and crawling speed.
- The helpful mechanic fixed my bicycle tire in a flash.
- The race cars sped around the track at full throttle during the final lap.
- The frightened rabbit decided to dart away into the tall bushes.
- The express train started to zoom past the small countryside station very slowly.
- We were in a race against time to finish our history project before the bell.
- The golden retriever puppies loved to tear around the fenced backyard.
- When the front gate opened, the dog tried to crawl inside the quiet house very slowly.
- Grandmother told us to hie away to the store before it started raining.
- When the stray dog started barking, the cat ran away like a bat out of hell.
- He grabbed his dropped pencil like a heavy rock that refused to move.
- The greyhound dog went like the wind across the racing track.
- A sudden autumn windstorm started to rip through the valley trees.
- We better skedaddle if we want to beat the traffic home.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you describe fast speed and rapid movement in fun, colorful ways. Try using a few of these expressions when talking about sports races or exciting adventures with your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for fast speed?
Common idioms for fast speed include phrases like lightning fast, in a flash, and like greased lightning. These expressions help describe quick movement, racing, and rushing in daily life.
Why do we use idioms to describe moving quickly?
Idioms give us vivid, energetic ways to express high speed and excitement that standard vocabulary sometimes makes too formal. They make stories and conversations about fast actions much more engaging.
How can I practice using fast speed idioms?
You can practice by using these phrases when writing stories about sports races, vehicle chases, or animals running outdoors. Matching them to everyday energetic scenarios is also a wonderful learning method.
Are fast speed idioms meant to be taken literally?
No, fast speed idioms are figures of speech that should not be taken literally. When someone says they moved like greased lightning, they mean they were very fast, not literally covered in slippery fuel.
Can idioms help me write better action stories?
Using these descriptive speed phrases in your stories helps readers feel the energy and swift movement of your characters. It adds excitement and color to your creative writing.
