lickety-split
4
9.9
People say it to tell someone to hurry
- idiom
- /ˈlɪkɪti splɪt/
- Informal
:
rápido
- The rest of you get in there and get her out, lickety split.
Examples
-
Lickety-split, he'll be back in a bit!
-
If we want to catch the bus, we need to move lickety-split.
-
Come on, lickety-split.
-
We need to finish this project, so please do it lickety-split!
-
She said we should leave lickety-split to avoid the traffic.
Synonyms
to hurry
vslickety-split
∞
1.0
To move or act quickly because there is little time
is the same basic idea but is the simplest neutral verb form
240
6.7
To hurry so you do something faster, often to avoid being late
is the same urgent command but may sound less rude in some settings
to rush
vslickety-split
224
1.0
To make a person or thing move quickly
is the same urging but functions as a general action verb rather than a command phrase
30
8.1
To tell someone to hurry in a quick way
is similar but more modern and conversational
27
5.2
To hurry and go faster, often when driving
is the same urgency but not limited to speed or driving contexts
7
7.7
To tell someone to hurry
is the same urgent command but more general in informal speech
3
6.5
To hurry when someone tells you to
is the same push but more playful and physical sounding
1
7.1
To hurry to do something so you do not miss a good chance
is the same urgency but often focuses on chance taking
Antonyms
How Fast
Surface Forms
lickety-split main
Etymology
Lickety-split as a shout keeps the same fast picture: the quick 'lick' plus split give the feeling 'hurry up', so people use it to tell someone to move fast.