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Time - Fast or Slowly

Dive into English idioms regarding fastness or slowness, like "in two shakes" and "by degrees".

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English idioms related to Time
to [watch] the clock

to repeatedly check what time it is because time seems to pass slowly and one is bored or tired

Ex: By four o'clock, everyone in the office was watching the clock. 
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on the spot
on the spot
[phrase]

in a way that is instant and has no delay

Ex: The manager hired her on the spot. 
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time flies
time flies
[sentence]

used to convey the idea that time passes quickly or seems to move swiftly

Ex: Time flies when you are having fun. 
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at the drop of a (hat|dime)

with no hesitation

Ex: She would help a friend at the drop of a hat. 
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in a trice
in a trice
[phrase]

within a very short time

Ex: She packed her bag in a trice. 
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in two shakes

soon or in a quick manner

Ex: I'll be ready in two shakes; just let me grab my keys. 
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on a dime
on a dime
[phrase]

used to describe something, typically an action or change, that is done without any difficulty or hesitation

Ex: The team changed direction on a dime when the client rejected the first idea. 
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(right|) out of the [gate]

used to mean something happens or is done immediately

Ex: Right out of the gate, the new app attracted thousands of users. 
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at a (single|) stroke

accomplishing or achieving something in one decisive action or with a single effort

Ex: The new rule solved three problems at a single stroke. 
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now or never
now or never
[phrase]

used to suggest that right now is the only time a person has a chance for taking an opportunity or else they lose it forever

Ex: If you want to apply for the grant, it's now or never. 
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time will tell
time will tell
[sentence]

used to mean that by passing time it will be proved if something is true, valid, or effective

Ex: Time will tell whether the new policy actually works. 
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cold turkey
cold turkey
[phrase]

in a manner that is sudden, unexpected, and not gradual

Ex: He quit smoking cold turkey after the doctor warned him. 
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in the (blink|twinkle) of an eye

very quickly or suddenly

Ex: The car disappeared in the blink of an eye. 
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(right|) off the bat

in an instant and with no delay

Ex: Right off the bat, he told us what the problem was. 
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slow day
slow day
[noun]

a long day that is unproductive and boring

Ex: It was a slow day at the office, and I barely got anything done. 
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by degrees
by degrees
[phrase]

used to refer to a process that occurs slowly or step by step over time, rather than happening suddenly or all at once

Ex: By degrees, the city became quieter after midnight. 
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before {sb} (can|could) say Jack Robinson

so suddenly or quickly that leaves one with no time to react or notice anything

Ex: Before I could say Jack Robinson, the dog had grabbed the sandwich and run off. 
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little by little

gradually and in small stages

Ex: Little by little, the town recovered from the storm. 
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at a snail's pace

with a very slow rate

Ex: The old man was driving along the road at a snail's pace. 
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in a heartbeat

immediately or very quickly

Ex: If you asked me to help, I would do it in a heartbeat. 
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