50 Idioms for Fast (Meanings & Examples)

Idioms are fun phrases that mean something different from the words inside them. People use them to make their speaking and writing more colorful and exciting. In this lesson, you will learn fifty special idioms related to moving quickly, rushing, and being fast.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean traveling at high speed or finishing tasks in a hurry. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Fast

1. Lightning fast

Definition: Moving or happening with incredible speed, just like a flash of lightning.

Used in a Sentence: The cheetah proved to be lightning fast as it chased its prey across the grassy field. / My new computer has a lightning fast processor that loads games instantly.

Similar Expressions: Extremely quick / Blazing speed

2. In the blink of an eye

Definition: Happening almost instantly or in an extremely short amount of time.

Used in a Sentence: The magician made the coin disappear in the blink of an eye. / Vacation week seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye.

Similar Expressions: Very quickly / Instantly

3. At breakneck speed

Definition: Moving at a dangerously or excessively fast pace.

Used in a Sentence: The bicycle rider raced down the steep hill at breakneck speed. / The delivery truck drove at breakneck speed to reach the store before closing.

Similar Expressions: Dangerously fast / Furious pace

4. Like greased lightning

Definition: Moving with extraordinary and unbelievable speed.

Used in a Sentence: When the school bell rang for recess, the kids ran out like greased lightning. / The race car zoomed past the grandstands like greased lightning.

Similar Expressions: Super fast / Blazing speed

5. Quick on the draw

Definition: Being very fast to react, think, or respond in a situation.

Used in a Sentence: Leo was quick on the draw and answered the trivia question before anyone else. / The clever detective was quick on the draw when solving the puzzle.

Similar Expressions: Fast thinker / Quick responder

6. Shake a leg

Definition: An expression telling someone to hurry up and move faster.

Used in a Sentence: We need to shake a leg if we want to catch the early morning bus to school. / Mom told us to shake a leg so we wouldn’t be late for the movie.

Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Move quickly

7. Make tracks

Definition: To leave a place or move away in a very fast manner.

Used in a Sentence: It is getting late, so we need to make tracks for home before dark. / When the teacher walked outside, the students made tracks.

Similar Expressions: Hurry away / Depart fast

8. Swift as an arrow

Definition: Moving smoothly and extremely fast towards a target.

Used in a Sentence: The gymnast leaped across the mat, swift as an arrow. / The paper airplane flew across the room, swift as an arrow.

Similar Expressions: Very swift / Arrow-fast

9. Burning rubber

Definition: Driving a vehicle away very fast, causing the tires to spin quickly.

Used in a Sentence: The race car started the grand prix by burning rubber down the track. / Dad told us not to start burning rubber when leaving the driveway.

Similar Expressions: Speeding off / Accelerating fast

10. Fleet of foot

Definition: Able to run or move very fast with agility.

Used in a Sentence: The soccer forward was fleet of foot and easily outran the defenders. / The young puppy was fleet of foot as it chased the bouncing ball.

Similar Expressions: Fast runner / Agile mover

11. Flying high

Definition: Moving or progressing at a very rapid and successful pace.

Used in a Sentence: After winning three games in a row, the team was flying high. / The toy rocket launched into the sky, flying high and fast.

Similar Expressions: Soaring fast / Moving rapidly

12. On the double

Definition: To perform an action immediately and with great speed.

Used in a Sentence: The coach told the players to get onto the field on the double. / Mom asked us to clean up our toys on the double before dinner.

Similar Expressions: Right away / Very quickly

13. Like a bat out of hell

Definition: Moving extremely fast, often in a chaotic or wild manner.

Used in a Sentence: The frightened rabbit ran across the garden like a bat out of hell. / When the storm started, the kids ran inside like bats out of hell.

Similar Expressions: Rushing wildly / Zooming fast

14. Speedy gonzales

Definition: A playful nickname for someone who moves or works unusually fast.

Used in a Sentence: My brother finished his chores like Speedy Gonzales so he could play video games. / You are moving like Speedy Gonzales today with your homework!

Similar Expressions: Fast worker / Speedster

15. Hit the ground running

Definition: To start a project or task with immediate speed, energy, and success.

Used in a Sentence: With a clear plan, our team hit the ground running on the science project. / The new student hit the ground running by joining three clubs on day one.

Similar Expressions: Start fast / Begin energetically

16. Fast and furious

Definition: An activity that happens with intense speed, energy, and excitement.

Used in a Sentence: The final minute of the basketball game was fast and furious. / Trading card game matches can get fast and furious.

Similar Expressions: Intense action / Rapid pace

17. Run circles around

Definition: To be much faster, smarter, or more skilled than someone else.

Used in a Sentence: The older runner could run circles around the rest of the beginners. / Our dog can run circles around any other pet in the park.

Similar Expressions: Outpace easily / Beat quickly

18. Quick fix

Definition: A fast solution to a problem, though not always a permanent one.

Used in a Sentence: Putting tape on the broken toy box was just a quick fix. / We needed a quick fix for the leaking garden hose before watering plants.

Similar Expressions: Rapid solution / Fast remedy

19. Fast lane

Definition: A lifestyle or situation that moves at a very exciting and rapid pace.

Used in a Sentence: Moving to the big city felt like jumping straight into the fast lane. / He enjoyed living in the fast lane with busy work and travel schedules.

Similar Expressions: Rapid lifestyle / Busy pace

20. Quick off the mark

Definition: Reacting or starting an action very fast when given a signal.

Used in a Sentence: The swimmer was quick off the mark when the starting buzzer sounded. / Leo was quick off the mark to volunteer for the clean-up crew.

Similar Expressions: Fast start / Quick reaction

21. Sprint to the finish

Definition: To run or work as fast as possible during the final stage of an activity.

Used in a Sentence: We had to sprint to the finish line of the relay race to win. / The authors had to sprint to the finish to complete their book.

Similar Expressions: Rush end / Final dash

22. Whizz by

Definition: To pass by someone or something with a rushing, fast sound.

Used in a Sentence: We watched the high-speed trains whizz by the station platform. / The summer holidays seemed to whizz by in a blur.

Similar Expressions: Zoom past / Fly by

23. Flash by

Definition: To pass extremely quickly, like a sudden flash of light.

Used in a Sentence: The weekend seemed to flash by before we finished our homework. / The scenery outside the train window flashed by in seconds.

Similar Expressions: Pass swiftly / Zoom away

24. Outpace the rest

Definition: To move faster than everyone else in a race or competition.

Used in a Sentence: The champion cyclist managed to outpace the rest of the riders on the hill. / Our company worked hard to outpace the rest in technology.

Similar Expressions: Move ahead / Leave behind

25. Race against time

Definition: To try to finish something very fast before a deadline arrives.

Used in a Sentence: We were in a race against time to finish our art project before the bell rang. / The rescue team faced a race against time before sunset.

Similar Expressions: Urgent rush / Beating the clock

26. Step on the gas

Definition: To press the accelerator in a car to go faster, or metaphorically hurry up.

Used in a Sentence: We need to step on the gas if we want to arrive at the museum on time. / Dad told us to step on the gas with our packing.

Similar Expressions: Speed up / Hurry along

27. Put your best foot forward

Definition: To move forward or start a journey with energy, speed, and confidence.

Used in a Sentence: On the first day of track practice, try to put your best foot forward. / We put our best foot forward when walking up the steep mountain trail.

Similar Expressions: Move briskly / Start strong

28. Skip a beat

Definition: To move so fast or react so quickly that normal rhythm changes.

Used in a Sentence: The fast-moving dancer did not miss a step or skip a beat. / The computer processor handled the heavy graphics without skipping a beat.

Similar Expressions: Keep pace / Run smoothly

29. Tear around

Definition: To run or drive around a place very fast in an energetic way.

Used in a Sentence: The energetic puppies liked to tear around the backyard in the morning. / We watched the race cars tear around the oval track.

Similar Expressions: Zoom around / Rush about

30. Zoom past

Definition: To pass someone or something at a very high speed.

Used in a Sentence: A red sports car zoomed past our house on the main road. / The bicyclist zoomed past us on the trail.

Similar Expressions: Fly past / Rush by

31. Quick as a wink

Definition: Happening in an extremely brief moment, as fast as blinking your eye.

Used in a Sentence: The clever monkey grabbed the banana and vanished quick as a wink. / The helper cleaned up the spilled water quick as a wink.

Similar Expressions: Very fast / Instantly

32. Fly off the handle

Definition: To react or move with sudden speed or explosive emotion.

Used in a Sentence: Try not to fly off the handle when things get busy at school. / The startled cat flew off the couch in a hurry.

Similar Expressions: React instantly / Burst out

33. High gear

Definition: Operating or moving at maximum speed and efficiency.

Used in a Sentence: Our school club shifted into high gear to prepare for the annual fair. / The construction workers moved into high gear to finish the bridge.

Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Full throttle

34. Run like the wind

Definition: To run with incredible speed and freedom.

Used in a Sentence: The horse ran like the wind across the open pasture. / When the game of tag started, Leo ran like the wind.

Similar Expressions: Run swiftly / Sprint fast

35. Shoot ahead

Definition: To move rapidly in front of other competitors in a race.

Used in a Sentence: The blue car managed to shoot ahead on the straightaway. / Our team shot ahead during the final round of the trivia contest.

Similar Expressions: Pull ahead / Surge forward

36. Rip roaring

Definition: Moving with great speed, energy, and excitement.

Used in a Sentence: The festival had a rip roaring start with fast music and games. / The boat sailed at a rip roaring pace across the lake.

Similar Expressions: Fast and wild / High energy

37. Speed reading

Definition: Reading text at a much faster rate than normal without losing comprehension.

Used in a Sentence: She practiced speed reading to finish her library book report on time. / Taking a speed reading course helped him get through textbooks faster.

Similar Expressions: Fast reading / Rapid scanning

38. Fast bowler

Definition: In cricket, a player who delivers the ball at high speed towards the batter.

Used in a Sentence: The team’s best fast bowler struck out three batters in a row. / Practicing against a fast bowler helped improve his batting skills.

Similar Expressions: Speed pitcher / Rapid bowler

39. Quick march

Definition: A military command to walk forward at a brisk, steady, and fast pace.

Used in a Sentence: The marching band began their routine with a quick march across the field. / The instructor gave the order for a quick march.

Similar Expressions: Brisk walk / Rapid march

40. Fast-track

Definition: A plan or method that allows someone to achieve success or progress much faster.

Used in a Sentence: The talented student was put on a fast-track math program. / Building the new community center was placed on a fast-track schedule.

Similar Expressions: Accelerated path / Quick route

41. Leap forward

Definition: To make a sudden, rapid advancement in progress or speed.

Used in a Sentence: Technology continues to leap forward with new inventions every year. / Our soccer skills took a huge leap forward this season.

Similar Expressions: Rapid advance / Quick jump

42. Hustle and bustle

Definition: A busy, fast-moving environment filled with lots of active people.

Used in a Sentence: We enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city street market. / The school hallway was full of hustle and bustle between classes.

Similar Expressions: Busy activity / Rapid movement

43. Fast lane living

Definition: Experiencing an exciting, fast-paced lifestyle full of travel and events.

Used in a Sentence: Tour managers experience fast lane living during concert seasons. / Traveling to a new city every week is true fast lane living.

Similar Expressions: Rapid lifestyle / Busy routine

44. Quick step

Definition: A fast dance or a rapid movement across the floor.

Used in a Sentence: The dancers performed a lively quick step during the music festival. / We learned a fun quick step in our P.E. dance class.

Similar Expressions: Fast pace / Rapid step

45. Fast forward

Definition: To move quickly ahead in time or through a video recording.

Used in a Sentence: We wanted to fast forward through the boring part of the movie. / Sometimes you wish you could fast forward to summer vacation.

Similar Expressions: Skip ahead / Move fast

46. Burning up the track

Definition: Running or driving a vehicle around a racecourse at top speed.

Used in a Sentence: The race car drivers were burning up the track during practice laps. / The champion sprinter was burning up the running track.

Similar Expressions: Racing fast / Speeding around

47. Rapid fire

Definition: A series of actions or questions happening one after another very quickly.

Used in a Sentence: The quiz show host asked rapid fire questions to test the contestants. / The coach gave rapid fire instructions during the timeout.

Similar Expressions: Quick succession / Fast sequence

48. Speed demon

Definition: A person who drives or moves at a dangerously high speed.

Used in a Sentence: My older brother is a speed demon when he rides his bicycle down hills. / Be careful on the go-kart track; Leo is a true speed demon.

Similar Expressions: Fast mover / Speed lover

49. Flash flood

Definition: A sudden and fast-moving overflow of water caused by heavy rain.

Used in a Sentence: The heavy thunderstorm warning mentioned the risk of a flash flood in low areas. / We had to move our picnic away from the stream due to a flash flood.

Similar Expressions: Sudden flood / Rapid surge

50. High-speed chase

Definition: A fast pursuit of a moving vehicle by police or racers.

Used in a Sentence: The action movie featured an exciting high-speed chase through city streets. / We watched the televised bicycle race turning into a high-speed chase.

Similar Expressions: Fast pursuit / Rapid chase

Exercise to Practice

1. The cheetah proved to be lightning fast as it chased its prey across the grassy field.
2. The magician made the coin disappear in the slow motion of a turtle.
3. The bicycle rider raced down the steep hill at breakneck speed.
4. When the school bell rang for recess, the kids walked out as slowly as possible.
5. Leo was quick on the draw and answered the trivia question before anyone else.
6. We need to shake a leg if we want to miss the early morning bus to school.
7. It is getting late, so we need to make tracks for home before dark.
8. The paper airplane flew across the room, clumsy and heavy like a rock.
9. The race car started the grand prix by burning rubber down the track.
10. The soccer forward was fleet of foot and easily outran the defenders.
11. After winning three games in a row, the team was feeling very sad and slow.
12. The coach told the players to get onto the field on the double.
13. When the storm started, the kids ran inside like bats out of hell.
14. My brother finished his chores like Speedy Gonzales so he could play video games.
15. With a clear plan, our team hit the ground running on the science project.

Answer Key

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. False
12. True
13. True
14. True
15. True

Conclusion

Learning these idioms helps make your writing and speaking much more colorful and fun. Instead of using plain words, you can use these special expressions to describe quick actions and fast events. Try using one or two of these idioms when you talk to your friends or write a story today. Notice how much brighter and more interesting your conversations become.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common idioms for fast?

Common idioms for fast include lightning fast, in the blink of an eye, and at breakneck speed. These phrases help describe high speeds and quick actions in a colorful way.

Why do we use idioms in English?

We use idioms to make our language more expressive, creative, and interesting. They allow us to paint a picture with words instead of just stating simple facts.

How can I remember these idioms easily?

You can remember idioms by practicing them in daily conversations and writing your own funny sentences with them. Drawing pictures of what the literal words mean can also help you recall them.

Are idioms used in everyday spoken English?

Yes, native English speakers use idioms all the time in casual conversations, movies, books, and music. Learning them helps you understand what people mean when they talk or write.

Can I use these idioms in school writing?

You can use idioms in creative writing stories, journal entries, and speeches to make your writing stand out. Just remember to use formal language for serious reports and science papers.