Idioms are wonderful figurative expressions where the combined words create a special meaning entirely different from their literal definitions. People use them to make their speaking and writing more colorful, lively, and expressive. In this article, you will learn fifty unique idioms related to running fast, speed, and moving in a great hurry.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean moving at top speed or racing like the wind. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Running Fast
1. Like a bat out of hell
Definition: Moving with extreme, sudden speed and frantic energy.
Used in a Sentence: When the school bell rang at three o’clock, the students bolted out the door like a bat out of hell. / The scared rabbit ran across the meadow like a bat out of hell to escape the loud noise.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / In a wild rush
2. Like greased lightning
Definition: Moving with incredible, blinding speed.
Used in a Sentence: The star track runner sprinted down the final straightaway like greased lightning. / She wiped the spilled juice off the kitchen counter like greased lightning before anyone noticed.
Similar Expressions: Blindingly fast / In a flash
3. Run like the wind
Definition: To run as fast as your legs can possibly carry you.
Used in a Sentence: The soccer player dribbled past the defenders and told himself to run like the wind toward the goal. / When it started to pour rain during recess, the children ran like the wind back to the school building.
Similar Expressions: Sprint swiftly / Run rapidly
4. Burn rubber
Definition: To drive or start moving forward in a vehicle at a very high speed.
Used in a Sentence: The race car driver waited for the green flag to drop so he could burn rubber. / Dad told everyone to buckle up because he needed to burn rubber to get us to the airport on time.
Similar Expressions: Accelerate fast / Zoom off
5. In the blink of an eye
Definition: Happening so fast that you can barely perceive it.
Used in a Sentence: The magician made the red coin disappear in the blink of an eye. / The cheetah crossed the open plain in the blink of an eye during the wildlife documentary.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Very quickly
6. At breakneck speed
Definition: Moving at a dangerous or extremely fast pace.
Used in a Sentence: The cyclist rode down the steep hill at breakneck speed, so everyone told him to slow down. / The construction crew worked at breakneck speed to finish the new library before autumn.
Similar Expressions: Dangerously fast / Maximum pace
7. Make tracks
Definition: To leave a place in a hurry or start moving quickly.
Used in a Sentence: Mom said we need to make tracks right now if we want to catch the beginning of the movie. / Seeing the dark storm clouds rolling over the hills, the hikers decided to make tracks.
Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Leave quickly
8. Put your best foot forward
Definition: To move quickly and with great effort toward a goal.
Used in a Sentence: When the race official blew the whistle, she put her best foot forward to take the lead. / You need to put your best foot forward during the final lap of the marathon.
Similar Expressions: Sprint ahead / Move swiftly
9. A flying start
Definition: Beginning a race or project with immediate high speed and great success.
Used in a Sentence: The relay team got a flying start when the first runner passed the baton smoothly. / Finishing her homework on Sunday afternoon gave her a flying start to the school week.
Similar Expressions: Fast beginning / Quick launch
10. Outrun the wind
Definition: A poetic way to describe running with incredible, effortless velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The playful greyhound pup raced across the grass as if it could outrun the wind. / During the cross-country race, he felt so energetic he thought he could outrun the wind.
Similar Expressions: Race swiftly / Move like air
11. Fleet of foot
Definition: Having the natural ability to run very fast and light on your feet.
Used in a Sentence: The soccer forward was exceptionally fleet of foot, making it easy for him to dodge opponents. / To play the position of receiver on the football team, you must be fleet of foot.
Similar Expressions: Fast runner / Swift mover
12. Scatter like chaff in the wind
Definition: Running away in all directions with rapid speed.
Used in a Sentence: When the garden sprinkler suddenly turned on, the flock of pigeons scattered like chaff in the wind. / The kids scattered like chaff in the wind when the tagger yelled go.
Similar Expressions: Scatter quickly / Run in all directions
13. With lightning speed
Definition: Executing any action or movement with extreme quickness.
Used in a Sentence: The goalie moved with lightning speed to block the soccer ball from entering the net. / She solved the math puzzle with lightning speed and won the classroom challenge.
Similar Expressions: Rapidly / Swiftly
14. Tear down the street
Definition: To run or drive recklessly fast along a road.
Used in a Sentence: The delivery truck tore down the street to drop off the packages before sunset. / Skateboarders loved to tear down the smooth paved path in the park.
Similar Expressions: Zoom along / Rush down
15. Move at warp speed
Definition: Traveling or working at an exaggerated maximum velocity.
Used in a Sentence: With only ten minutes left before the museum closed, the family moved at warp speed through the dinosaur exhibit. / The computer processed the massive graphics file at warp speed.
Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Ultra-fast
16. Whizz past
Definition: To travel past someone or something with a rushing sound and high speed.
Used in a Sentence: The bright red race car began to whizz past the viewing stands one by one. / A flock of migrating geese managed to whizz past our window.
Similar Expressions: Zoom by / Fly past
17. Cover ground quickly
Definition: To make rapid progress over a distance while walking or running.
Used in a Sentence: Taking long strides helped the hikers cover ground quickly before darkness fell. / Riding bicycles allowed the kids to cover ground quickly across the neighborhood.
Similar Expressions: Progress fast / Travel swiftly
18. Hit the ground running
Definition: To begin an activity immediately with high speed and full energy.
Used in a Sentence: Thanks to his track practice, he hit the ground running at the start of the hundred-meter dash. / The new track team hit the ground running with an early morning speed drill.
Similar Expressions: Start fast / Begin energetically
19. Swift as an arrow
Definition: Moving in a straight line with incredible speed.
Used in a Sentence: The thrown baseball flew through the air swift as an arrow toward home plate. / The racer sped down the track swift as an arrow.
Similar Expressions: Extremely swift / Arrow-fast
20. Fly down the track
Definition: Running along a racing path with immense speed.
Used in a Sentence: The sprinters began to fly down the track as the final buzzer sounded. / She loved to watch the professional athletes fly down the track during the Olympics.
Similar Expressions: Sprint fast / Zoom along
21. Speed away
Definition: To depart from a location rapidly in a vehicle or on foot.
Used in a Sentence: The police car turned its sirens on and began to speed away down the avenue. / After waving goodbye, the taxi driver hit the gas and speed away.
Similar Expressions: Zoom off / Depart fast
22. Whipped past
Definition: Moving past a stationary object with sudden and intense velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The express train whipped past the small rural station without stopping. / A sudden gust of autumn leaves whipped past the front porch.
Similar Expressions: Rushed by / Flashed past
23. Outpace the competition
Definition: To run or perform faster than everyone else in a race.
Used in a Sentence: Training every morning helped her outpace the competition during the regional track meet. / The sleek new sports car was designed to outpace the competition.
Similar Expressions: Run faster / Leave behind
24. A blur of motion
Definition: Moving so fast that individual details cannot be seen clearly.
Used in a Sentence: When the hummingbird darted between the flowers, it was just a blur of motion. / The spinning bicycle wheels looked like a blur of motion in the sunlight.
Similar Expressions: Fast blur / Rapid movement
25. Scorched earth speed
Definition: A dramatic expression for running or driving at absolute maximum velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The drag racer launched off the starting line with scorched earth speed. / He rode his scooter down the driveway with scorched earth speed.
Similar Expressions: Maximum velocity / Full blast
26. Step on the gas
Definition: To press the accelerator in a vehicle to go faster, or to hurry up an action.
Used in a Sentence: The bus driver needed to step on the gas to make it to school before the morning bell. / We need to step on the gas if we want to finish cleaning the yard before lunch.
Similar Expressions: Speed up / Hurry along
27. Bolt from the blue
Definition: Moving away with sudden, surprising speed, like a flash of lightning.
Used in a Sentence: The frightened stray cat bolted from the blue when the car door slammed shut. / He decided to bolt from the blue toward the finish line.
Similar Expressions: Sudden sprint / Rapid dash
28. Sweep across the finish line
Definition: To run across the end of a race course with great momentum.
Used in a Sentence: She managed to sweep across the finish line just seconds ahead of the second-place runner. / The exhausted athlete smiled as he swept across the finish line.
Similar Expressions: Cross first / Finish swiftly
29. Tear off
Definition: To depart or start running at a very high speed suddenly.
Used in a Sentence: The greyhound dog saw a squirrel and decided to tear off across the open park. / He grabbed his backpack and tore off down the sidewalk to catch the bus.
Similar Expressions: Dash off / Sprint away
30. Run rings around someone
Definition: To run or perform so much faster and better than someone that you easily beat them.
Used in a Sentence: During the soccer scrimmage, the older players ran rings around the beginners. / Her quick typing skills allowed her to run rings around the practice test.
Similar Expressions: Outperform easily / Run circles around
31. Like a house afire
Definition: Doing something with incredible speed, energy, and intensity.
Used in a Sentence: Once the race started, the champion runner took off like a house afire. / The project moved forward like a house afire once everyone agreed on the plan.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / Rapid progress
32. Flash past
Definition: To move past a viewpoint in an instant of high speed.
Used in a Sentence: The scenery outside the train window began to flash past as the locomotive accelerated. / Milestone markers on the highway seemed to flash past during the trip.
Similar Expressions: Zip by / Rush past
33. Zip along
Definition: To travel smoothly and quickly along a path or road.
Used in a Sentence: The small electric scooters zipped along the designated bike lane. / With a tailwind helping them, the sailors zipped along the lake surface.
Similar Expressions: Move swiftly / Cruise fast
34. Zoom by
Definition: To pass someone or something with a loud zooming sound and high speed.
Used in a Sentence: Motorcycles love to zoom by on the open highway during weekend afternoons. / A paper airplane zoomed by his ear during art class.
Similar Expressions: Whizz by / Fly past
35. Leg it
Definition: A casual phrase meaning to run away or run fast, especially in an emergency.
Used in a Sentence: When the sudden rainstorm started, everyone had to leg it back to the clubhouse. / Seeing the security guard approach, the mischievous kids decided to leg it.
Similar Expressions: Run fast / Dash away
36. Scurry like a mouse
Definition: Moving with short, rapid steps in a great hurry.
Used in a Sentence: The tiny field mouse scurried like a mouse across the pantry floor to hide. / Students began to scurry like a mouse to their seats when the tardy bell rang.
Similar Expressions: Dash quickly / Hurry rapidly
37. Tear up the track
Definition: To run or drive at top speed around a racing course.
Used in a Sentence: The professional racing team spent the morning trying to tear up the track. / She practiced hard so she could tear up the track at the district meet.
Similar Expressions: Race fast / Dominate the course
38. Streak across the sky
Definition: Moving at high speed across a large open space, often like a shooting star.
Used in a Sentence: A bright meteor began to streak across the sky during the late-night camping trip. / The red rescue helicopter streaked across the sky toward the mountains.
Similar Expressions: Shoot across / Fly rapidly
39. Dash to the finish
Definition: Running the final section of a race with all remaining speed and energy.
Used in a Sentence: The exhausted sprinters made a fierce dash to the finish line. / He saved his energy so he could make a powerful dash to the finish in the relay.
Similar Expressions: Final sprint / Rapid finish
40. Barrel down the road
Definition: Moving forward in a vehicle at a fast, uncontrolled, or heavy speed.
Used in a Sentence: The heavy freight truck barrelled down the mountain road without slowing down. / A stray soccer ball barrelled down the driveway toward the street.
Similar Expressions: Rush heavily / Speed fast
41. Run your legs off
Definition: To run extremely hard and fast until you are completely exhausted.
Used in a Sentence: The playful puppy ran its legs off chasing tennis balls around the yard all afternoon. / She ran her legs off trying to tag everyone during the massive game of tag.
Similar Expressions: Run exhaustively / Sprint constantly
42. Hustle along
Definition: To move with quickness and energy to avoid being late.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher told the class to hustle along so they wouldn’t miss the museum bus. / We need to hustle along if we want to get front-row seats at the assembly.
Similar Expressions: Hurry up / Move quickly
43. Rip down the lane
Definition: Running or driving with fierce speed down a narrow path.
Used in a Sentence: The roller skaters loved to rip down the lane at the community center rink. / A gust of wind seemed to rip down the alleyway.
Similar Expressions: Speed down / Dash along
44. Fly on the wings of speed
Definition: A figurative way to describe moving with bird-like velocity and lightness.
Used in a Sentence: The champion cyclist rode his bicycle as if he were flying on the wings of speed. / Imagining you are flying on the wings of speed makes sprinting fun.
Similar Expressions: Move swiftly / Glide fast
45. Scramble away
Definition: To move hurriedly and quickly on hands and feet to escape.
Used in a Sentence: The crabs scrambled away across the wet sand when the ocean wave approached. / The kids scrambled away from the picnic table when the wasps arrived.
Similar Expressions: Dash away / Hurry off
46. Move at lightning pace
Definition: Operating or traveling with continuous, rapid velocity.
Used in a Sentence: The library volunteers sorted the book donations at a lightning pace. / Technology changes at a lightning pace in the modern world.
Similar Expressions: Rapid pace / Fast tempo
47. Shoot out of a cannon
Definition: Moving forward with sudden, explosive speed and momentum.
Used in a Sentence: The sprinter felt like he shot out of a cannon when the starting pistol sounded. / The roller coaster cart felt like it shot out of a cannon at the launch station.
Similar Expressions: Explosive start / Blasting off
48. Zoom off into the distance
Definition: Traveling away at high speed until disappearing from sight.
Used in a Sentence: The motorcycle zoomed off into the distance along the winding coastal highway. / The yellow school bus zoomed off into the distance after dropping off the kids.
Similar Expressions: Speed away / Fade fast
49. Run flat out
Definition: Running or driving at your absolute maximum possible speed.
Used in a Sentence: The cheetah ran flat out across the open savanna to catch its prey. / He pushed his bicycle pedals flat out down the final stretch of the path.
Similar Expressions: Maximum speed / Full throttle
50. Outstrip the wind
Definition: A classic poetic hyperbole for moving faster than a gust of wind.
Used in a Sentence: The legendary racehorse galloped around the pasture as if it could outstrip the wind. / She felt so light and fast running downhill that she could outstrip the wind.
Similar Expressions: Super-fast / Wind-beating
Exercise to Practice
- When the school bell rang at three o’clock, the students bolted out the door like a bat out of hell.
- Moving like greased lightning means spreading cold yellow butter on a warm morning toast slice.
- The soccer player dribbled past the defenders and told himself to run like the wind toward the goal.
- Burning rubber means taking a large rubber eraser and rubbing out pencil marks in a notebook.
- The race car driver waited for the green flag to drop so he could burn rubber.
- Moving in the blink of an eye means sitting down and closing your eyes to take a long nap.
- The cyclist rode down the steep hill at breakneck speed, so everyone told him to slow down.
- Making tracks means laying down metal train tracks on the living room floor with toy trains.
- When the race official blew the whistle, she put her best foot forward to take the lead.
- A flying start means throwing paper airplanes across the classroom during math class.
- The goalie moved with lightning speed to block the soccer ball from entering the net.
- Tearing down the street means carefully sweeping the sidewalk pavement with a wooden push broom.
- Moving at warp speed means baking a chocolate birthday cake inside a warm kitchen oven.
- Taking long strides helped the hikers cover ground quickly before darkness fell.
- Thanks to his track practice, he hit the ground running at the start of the hundred-meter dash.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
Conclusion
Learning idioms about running fast helps you understand how English speakers express speed, urgency, and athletic energy. These colorful expressions make your storytelling much more exciting and action-packed.
Try using a few of these fun phrases when describing sports races, playground games, or rushing to catch the bus with friends. You will find that adding speed idioms to your vocabulary makes sharing your adventures much more engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for running fast?
Some popular idioms for running fast include like greased lightning, run like the wind, and at breakneck speed. People use these expressions to describe maximum velocity and sudden rushing.
Why do people use idioms to talk about speed?
Idioms turn abstract concepts about velocity into memorable, colorful mental pictures. They help people discuss athletic performance and urgency in a relatable, fun way.
How can I practice using these running fast idioms?
You can practice these expressions by writing short sports stories or matching them to everyday scenarios like school track meets. Reviewing true and false practice statements is also a great way to check your understanding.
Are speed and running idioms used in casual conversation?
These expressions are frequently used in everyday casual speech, sports commentary, and adventure stories. They are widely recognized across all English-speaking regions.
Can an idiom help explain how fast something moved?
Using phrases like in the blink of an eye or like greased lightning helps others understand extreme speed instantly. It transforms ordinary descriptions into clear, memorable imagery.
