lightning speed
6
3.4
- noun
:
velocidad relámpago
- Written English went through a formative period in which standardization proceeded at almost lightning speed.
But what you can't say is that he's not moving towards that at lightning speed.
- But what you can't say is that he's not moving towards that at lightning speed.
- They could be shot across the Internet at lightning speed.
- That's why he has come at lightning speed and fired anybody who interferes with him profiting or conducting his experiments.
- Bill O'Reilly took a poke at you a couple of days ago and you responded with lightning speed.
- And if Chuck Schumer is known for anything, it's lightning speed.
- We've moved it by academic standards, lightning speed.
- We're going to experience changes dramatically more consequential in lightning speed like in the next few decades.
Examples
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The new software processes data at lightning speed, making it more efficient for users.
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With precision and lightning speed, the mixed-up colors and crumpled packets are transformed into neat little color-coded rows.
Fiction book (2001) -
- I set off at lightning speed.
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I can move at lightning speed.
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The days of summer pass with lightning speed.
Fiction book (1996) -
Various cultural waves spread with lightning speed throughout the country.
Academic text (1992) -
It was carried out with lightning speed and it was well planned.
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We're going to experience changes dramatically more consequential in lightning speed like in the next few decades.
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These creature seem to be evolving at lightning speed towards becoming the ultimate predators.
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11:11 PM: After getting ready at lightning speed, we are ready for bed.
Blog text (31)
Synonyms
10
2.5
A speed that is quicker than usual for a task or activity
6
4.6
Very fast movement, action, or change
5
2.9
Great speed in moving or acting
3
8.0
Ability to move much faster than a normal person
Antonyms
How Fast
6
3.4
5
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
lightning + speed
The meaning 'very high rate of speed' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'lightning' (a very fast natural phenomenon) with 'speed' (rate of movement); the metaphor of lightning-for-extreme-quickness is transparent. This simile is common cross-linguistically and follows a straightforward compositional pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer.
Etymology
Lightning speed comes from the bright flash of lightning that crosses the sky almost instantly, so you can picture something happening in a single, very quick moment. That's why lightning speed means 'very fast'.