lightning fast
6
3.6
- adjective
- /ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ fæst/
- Informal
:
rapidísimo
- With her lightning fast reflexes, she was able to catch the falling glass before it shattered.
- lightning fast reflexes
- lightning fast speed
- lightning fast computer
And when I think about how fast that future is coming, I mean, it's just lightning fast.
- And when I think about how fast that future is coming, I mean, it's just lightning fast.
- What if anything has changed about the selfie camera, but their lightning fast face unlock, which does depend on the selfie camera is back.
- Do I put a notch in my pocket and give up my headphone Jack for this snappy, lightning fast experience?
- But it is lightning fast, this life.
Examples
-
Number one, develop lightning-fast reflexes.
-
Then, lightning-fast, she flung open the door and dove toward the creature.
Fiction book (1995) -
It's a super smart, lightning fast research assistant.
-
In one group, the change of direction is lightning fast; in the other, it is more deliberate.
Blog text (9) -
Her turnaround was always lightning fast, and she helped me bounce ideas around when considering an offer I received...
Blog text (13) -
Instead, in a lightning-fast motion, he opened the back door of the vehicle and slid in.
Fiction book (2001) -
Finally, the Easter Bunny has got to have lightning-fast reflexes.
-
Turnaround time is lightning fast, and you're backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Blog text (29) -
The Wiz are going to be a good-to-great defensive squad now, built to be a lightning-fast, explosive, good-to-great defensive squad later.
Blog text (8) -
As a bonus, you'll get lightning-fast turnaround times, and you're always backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Blog text (29)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Moving or happening quickly
295
1.3
Happening very quickly
118
1.4
Moving or happening very quickly
100
3.2
Able to work or move much faster than normal
70
1.8
Moving or happening very quickly with little delay
35
5.1
Happening right away without any delay
24
3.9
Happening very quickly with a lot of action
5
5.7
Moving or working much faster than similar things
2
4.2
Happens almost instantly
1
3.2
Moving or working much faster than usual
1
3.9
Much quicker than normal for the same thing
Happening or done extremely fast
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'extremely fast' is directly derivable from combining 'lightning' (a well-known very rapid natural phenomenon) with 'fast'—the phrase functions as a transparent intensifier rather than an idiosyncratic idiom. This metaphorical but predictable mapping (cf. 'as fast as lightning') is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Lightning fast: The adjective lightning fast comes from the sudden bright flash of lightning, which seems to happen in one instant, so people put fast with lightning to show something moves very quickly. That's why the phrase means 'very fast'.