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Glite Dictionary
not so fast

not so fast

42 5.8
Tell someone to slow down when they act too quickly
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : espera
  • Not so fast! You need to finish your homework before going out," she reminded him.
  • said, not so fast
  • Hey, not so fast
  • not so fast, Mr.

And on the other hand, you know, some pushback from the conventional scientific community and some grumbling amongst, you know, the old guard saying not so fast.

Examples

  • Now, you might scrutinize my two strikes and think I'm down for the count, but the man in blue is saying, "Not so fast, folks."

    Fiction book (1996)

  • But there were plenty of "us" who said not so fast there, partner.

    Blog text (22)

  • Hey, not so fast, you. This tape is going to change your life.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Everyone, please, not so fast.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Well, not so fast, people, since there are quite a few more recent success stories!

    Blog text (13)

  • "Not so fast," Jackson said, one arm shooting out to block her path.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • But not so fast, warns the author.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Wait, not so fast!

    My Favorite Martian (1999)

  • In the immortal words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend."

    Blog text (24)

  • "Not so fast, Cowboy," a rival said, then appealed to Plank.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

to hold one's horses
vsnot so fast
  • Informal
1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

has the same meaning but uses a different idiomatic phrase

Antonyms

to hurry up
  • Informal
637 1.0

To move or act more quickly to avoid being late

to rush
548 1.0

To move or act quickly because a situation needs it

How Forceful

to hold one's horses
  • Informal
1 7.2
not so fast
  • Informal
42 5.8
to slow down
687 1.4
to wait
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

not so fast main

Morphology

not + so + fast

The phrase literally composes as 'not' + 'so' + 'fast' → 'not very fast', so a learner who knows the words can grasp the basic idea of slowing down. However, its common use as a pragmatic interjection meaning 'wait' or 'hold on' (often applied to actions or conclusions) is a conversational extension that may not be fully predictable from the parts alone, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Not so fast creates a simple image: you tell someone who is moving too quickly 'not so fast', as if stopping a runner or a horse to make them slow. So it means 'slow down' or 'wait' when someone is acting too quickly.