in the blink of an eye
in the BLINK of an EYE
/ɪn ðə blɪŋk əv ən aɪ/
In an extremely short period of time; almost instantaneously.
Emphasizes the suddenness or unexpected speed of an event.
The story behind the word. The human blink is one of the fastest involuntary actions, taking only about 300 to 400 milliseconds. This idiom has been used since the 1300s to describe incredible speed.
Word relationships
- in a flash: 'In a flash' is also common, but 'blink of an eye' is more biological and vivid.
- at a snail's pace: 'At a snail's pace' means extremely slowly.
Commonly confused with
- time flies: 'Time flies' is about the perception of a long period; 'blink of an eye' is about a single event.
Collocations
- happened in the blink of an eye
- gone in the blink of an eye
- changed in the blink of an eye
Example sentences
- "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." Classic Literature
- "The deer ran across the road and disappeared into the woods in the blink of an eye." Accident report
Memory hook
Close your eyes and open them—that's how fast it happened. One quick wink.
When not to use
Do not use for things that take a few seconds; it should feel nearly instant.
Fun facts
- The average person blinks about 15-20 times per minute.
Related words
Explore more words
instantaneous, fleeting, momentary, rapid, evanescent, short-lived
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