presto

Examples

• All

• We can go to the Start menu, close down Windows in the normal fashion, and hey presto, we're back in Linux.

• They inherited the land and a presto, they could collect rent.

• So we turn up, we got a turn up, gets the thing driving back, pay presto, police coming out of everywhere.

  Anything Goes With James English

• So you find all the nodes that are accessible from from node I and then you turn around and do it the other way and presto, you have.

• The chef added the final ingredient, and presto, the dish was ready to serve.

• She pressed the button, and presto, the lights turned off instantly.

Synonyms

S

suddenly

vspresto

∞ 1.0

Quickly and without warning

often adds theatrical or magical surprise beyond plain unexpectedness

O

of a sudden

vspresto

• Informal

743 7.1

Happens quickly and without warning

is often used with added theatrical or instant dramatic meaning

A

all of a sudden

vspresto

• Informal

737 2.7

Very quickly and without warning

tends to carry more dramatic or magical implication than simple suddenness

J

just like that

vspresto

• Informal

199 4.2

Happens suddenly without warning or effort

often implies a stronger magical or theatrical change than plain suddenness

A

abruptly

vspresto

108 3.3

In a sudden way that gives no warning

is likely to bring a theatrical or magical sense beyond abruptness

I

in a flash

vspresto

• Informal

32 2.5

Very quickly in a single moment

adds a sense of magic or theatrical suddenness beyond mere speed

O

out of thin air

vspresto

28 5.8

Suddenly with no clear reason, like magic

is used more generally, adding theatrical suddenness rather than unexplained cause

I

instantaneously

vspresto

25 5.6

Happen at once without delay

adds theatrical or magical emphasis beyond simple immediacy

I

in the blink of an eye

vspresto

• Informal

24 3.3

Very quickly, in almost no time

contains extra theatrical or magical tone rather than plain quickness

H

hey presto

vspresto

• Informal

2 8.7

A word people say when something happens suddenly, like magic

is used for sudden events without theatrical or magical tone

S

subito

vspresto

• Specialized

1 9.9

Suddenly in music to show a quick change in volume or speed

is the general exclamation for sudden dramatic or magical happenings

B

before you can say knife

vspresto

• UK

9.9

It happens very quickly

is more about dramatic surprise and showmanship than mere speed

N

next thing one knows

vspresto

• Informal

8.2

Something happens suddenly before you notice

leans more toward instant theatrical or magical effect than gradual shift

Antonyms

S

slowly

∞ 1.0

At a low speed without hurrying

G

gradually

228 1.9

Slowly and steadily over time

Idioms

H

hey presto

• Informal

2 8.7

A word people say when something happens suddenly, like magic

How Fast

presto

• Informal

20 7.8

rapidly

356 1.4

quickly

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology