quick as a flash
In a blink
Quick as a flash means extremely fast, happening in an instant.
The phrase compares speed to a flash of light—lightning, a camera flash, or any sudden burst of illumination.
It typically describes reactions or movements: Quick as a flash, she grabbed the railing before she fell.
Sometimes shortened to in a flash.
Happening without delay
- instantBriefest unit of time
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- momentaryLasting very briefly
abrupt · instantaneous · swift · rapid · prompt · unhesitating · spontaneous · precipitate
Quick and light-moving
- fleet-footedMoving with quick lightness
- sprightlyEnergetic and nimble
- agileLimber and quick-moving
- deftSkillful and quick
lithe · spry · darting · dashing · scampering · bounding · zippy · light-footed
Arising without conscious thought
- automaticOperating without intervention
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
- reactiveTending to respond
snap · unconscious · impulse · startle · flinch · blink · twitch · hair-trigger
immediate
Happening without delay
- instantBriefest unit of time
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- split-secondFraction of a moment
momentary · abrupt · instantaneous · swift · rapid · prompt · unhesitating · spontaneous · precipitate · snappy
nimble
Quick and light-moving
- fleet-footedMoving with quick lightness
- sprightlyEnergetic and nimble
- agileLimber and quick-moving
deft · lithe · spry · darting · dashing · scampering · bounding · zippy · light-footed · catlike
instinctive
Arising without conscious thought
- automaticOperating without intervention
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
reactive · snap · unconscious · impulse · startle · flinch · blink · twitch · hair-trigger · unthinking
thunderbolt
Electric sky discharge with boom
zigzag · brilliance · illumination · blinding · electric · crackling · forked · storm · dazzling
- Speed Expressionsin no time, lickety-split, lickety split, like lightning, lightning fast
quick as a flashslow as molasses
Extremely sluggish pace
at a snail's pace · slow · leisurely · glacially · slowly
quick as a flashgradually
In slow stages
slowly but surely · bit by bit · incrementally · little by little · step by step
quick, flash, quickly, quickness, quicken, quicksand, quickest, quickened, quicksilver