to whizz along

1 5.1

To move very fast, often making a soft rushing sound like a car or train

phrasal verb
/wɪz əˈlɔŋ/

: ir rápidamente

At full speed, we'll whizz along a motorway, avoiding a series of obstacles.

Examples

A quick turnaround in a small industrial estate soon had us whizzing along the B4078 towards Winchcombe and the station, which is actually at Greet about half a mile from Winchcombe.

Blog text (27)
So I take over, and things start whizzing along.

Fiction book (1996)
Most travelers whiz along the highway in order to reach the Great Wall of China.

Blog text (16)
"This is Meadowbrook," she said, gesturing at the gigantic houses and formal gardens tucked back from the road they whizzed along, hoping to pull him back to the present.

Fiction book (1996)
The Pacific Ocean really begins at 19th Avenue, Peter decided, as he whizzed along on the empty N-Judah car through the chill underwater mirage of the Outer Sunset.

Fiction book (1998)
The children whizz along the path on their bikes, laughing as they race each other.
As the train whizzed along the tracks, I could feel the excitement of the journey ahead.
She loves to whizz along the coast in her convertible, enjoying the salty breeze.

Synonyms

to speed

vsto whizz along

137 1.0

To move or travel quickly, often faster than allowed

adds a light rushing sound and airy motion rather than plain fast travel

to scoot

vsto whizz along

Informal

29 2.8

Move a short distance quickly, often to make room or hurry

describes steady quick travel with a light rush sound rather than sudden playful hop

to zoom

vsto whizz along

26 1.3

To move very quickly, often making a low buzzing sound

focuses more on a light rushing sound than humming or buzzing

to fly by

vsto whizz along

23 3.3

To seem to pass very quickly, especially time

refers to physical quick movement with a light rushing sound rather than time passing

to swish

vsto whizz along

20 4.1

To move with a soft hissing or rustling sound in a smooth sweep

leans more to linear quick travel and light rush sound rather than sweeping

to whoosh

vsto whizz along

13 4.5

To move very quickly and make a rushing sound

uses a lighter airy rushing sound rather than a strong whistle

to swoosh

vsto whizz along

3 5.6

To move quickly and make a soft rushing sound

is lighter and airier in sound rather than a loud noisy rush

to whiz

vsto whizz along

1 4.5

To move very quickly, often making a humming or hissing sound

makes a lighter rushing sound rather than loud humming or buzzing

to zing

vsto whizz along

1 5.1

To move quickly while making a short, sharp sound

has a lighter smooth rushing tone rather than sharp buzzing energy

to whisk by

vsto whizz along

1 5.1

Move past someone or something very quickly and smoothly

focuses on a continuous light rushing movement rather than only passing

to zoom along

vsto whizz along

1 3.9

To move very quickly along a road or path

adds a light rushing sound emphasis rather than simple fast travel

to rush along

vsto whizz along

1 2.7

To move quickly in one direction

carries a lighter sound emphasis rather than sheer hurried directionality

to woosh

vsto whizz along

Informal

7.9

To move very quickly and make a rushing sound

has a lighter airy rushing sound instead of a louder whistle

to voom

vsto whizz along

9.9

To move very quickly and make a rushing sound

leans toward a lighter thin rushing sound rather than a smooth heavy rush

to whizzle

vsto whizz along

9.5

To make a high, sharp sound while moving quickly through the air

uses a lighter soft rushing sound rather than loud hissing tones

to whish

vsto whizz along

8.2

To move quickly while making a soft rushing sound

emphasizes speed plus a light rushing noise rather than gentle sweep

to whush

vsto whizz along

8.6

To move quickly while making a soft rushing sound

is slightly sharper and gives a clearer sense of speed rather than soft sound

to whiffle

vsto whizz along

7.3

To move or blow gently, making a soft rustling sound

is louder and shows stronger forward motion rather than light rustle

to wiffle

vsto whizz along

8.4

To make a soft swishing sound when something moves quickly through the air

is more forceful and faster with a clearer rushing noise rather than an airy sound

to belt along

vsto whizz along

Informal

6.0

To move very quickly, usually by running or driving

is lighter and emphasizes fast smooth motion rather than forceful hurry

to cannonball along

vsto whizz along

Informal

7.1

To move very quickly in a straight, forceful way

is less forceful and focuses on a lighter rushing sound rather than heavy force

Antonyms

to crawl

406 1.0

To move forward slowly on hands and knees or with the body close to the ground

lag

46 4.1

A period of time when something happens later than expected

How Fast

to race

91 1.0

to zoom

26 1.3

to whizz along

1 5.1

to run

∞ 1.0

to hurry

∞ 1.0

to walk

∞ 1.0

to creep

155 2.5

Surface Forms

whizz along infinitive

whizzing along present participle

whizzes along third person singular

whizzed along past

whizzed along past participle

Morphology

whizz + along

The meaning 'to move along very quickly' is directly built from 'whizz' (an onomatopoeic verb meaning to move quickly or make a whizzing sound) combined with 'along' (moving in a direction or path). This verb+particle composition is a standard, compositional English pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning, even if 'whizz' itself is somewhat less frequent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb whizz along may come from the quick, rushing sound things make when they move; whizz copies that sound and along shows movement forward. So, to whizz along means 'to move very quickly' and gives the image of something racing past.