slow as molasses
Moving glacially along
Slow as molasses describes extremely slow movement or progress.
Molasses—thick, viscous syrup—pours with agonizing slowness, especially when cold, giving rise to the extended form slow as molasses in January.
The comparison applies to people, processes, or anything moving at a frustrating crawl: Traffic was slow as molasses through the construction zone.
- treacleThick sugar-refining byproduct
- turtleShell-encased reptile
- sluggishSlow and inactive
- languidWeak and without vigor
- lazyassUnmotivated idle person
torpid · honey · lethargic · lazy Sunday · syrupy · unhurried · winter · simile · snail's pace · snail · tedious · interminable · dragging one's feet · thick · stuck in the mud · sticky · procrastinating · taking forever
slow as molassesquick as a flash
Extremely fast, immediate
lightning-fast · like a bat out of hell · at breakneck speed · swift · in a flash
slow as molassesfiring on all cylinders
Performing optimally, completely engaged
streamlined · productive · expeditious · snappy · prompt
slow as molassesnimble
Quick and light-moving
agile · spry · quick on the draw · responsive · sprightly
slow, molasses, slower, slowest, slowly, slowness, slowed, slowing, slowdown