in a heartbeat
At lightning speed
In a heartbeat means instantly or without hesitation—as quickly as a single beat of the heart.
It emphasizes eagerness or certainty: I'd take that job in a heartbeat.
The phrase often answers hypothetical questions about willingness: Would you do it again? In a heartbeat.
- in no timeAlmost immediately
- in an instantWith no delay
- split secondInfinitesimal unit of time
- willingReady without resistance
- wholeheartedFully and sincerely committed
in the blink of an eye · before you know it · instantaneous · eager · unhesitating · immediate · devoted · decisive · without a doubt · drop everything · instantly · ready · say yes · resolute · prompt · palpitation · rapid · at the drop of a hat
- Speed Expressionsin a flash, quick as a flash, in no time, lickety-split, lickety split
- suddennesssudden, suddenly, abrupt, abruptly, instant
- urgencyurgent, urgently, emergency, ASAP, stat
in a heartbeateventually
At a later time
in due time · never · in the long run · slowly · over time
in a heartbeatwhen hell freezes over
Emphatic refusal idiom
not in a million years · never in a million years · reluctantly · grudgingly · kicking and screaming
beat, heart, hearty, heartfelt, heartbeat, hearth, heartsick, disheartened, dishearten