Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful and exciting. In this article, you will learn fifty handy idioms that relate to the topic of short time.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean brief moments, speed, or running out of time. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Short Time
1. In a heartbeat
Definition: Happening instantly or in a very short time.
Used in a Sentence: I would adopt that cute puppy in a heartbeat. / She agreed to help me with my math homework in a heartbeat.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Very quickly
2. At the drop of a hat
Definition: Doing something immediately without any hesitation.
Used in a Sentence: My dad is ready to go camping at the drop of a hat. / The friendly dog will start playing at the drop of a hat.
Similar Expressions: Immediately / Instantly
3. In the twinkling of an eye
Definition: Passing by in an extremely fast moment.
Used in a Sentence: The magic trick ended in the twinkling of an eye. / Weekend playtime goes by in the twinkling of an eye.
Similar Expressions: In a flash / Very fast
4. Before you can say Jack Robinson
Definition: Happening much faster than expected.
Used in a Sentence: The kids ate all the cookies before you can say Jack Robinson. / He solved the puzzle before you can say Jack Robinson.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fast / In no time
5. In a New York minute
Definition: A very fast amount of time in a busy setting.
Used in a Sentence: That fresh batch of pizza slices vanished in a New York minute. / The clever student finished the test in a New York minute.
Similar Expressions: Super fast / Instantly
6. Beat the clock
Definition: Finishing a task before the time runs out.
Used in a Sentence: We hurried to pack our toys to beat the clock. / I wrote my final paragraph just to beat the clock.
Similar Expressions: Finish on time / Race the timer
7. Time flies
Definition: Passing by very quickly when you are having fun.
Used in a Sentence: Time flies when you are playing video games with friends. / I cannot believe how fast time flies during summer break.
Similar Expressions: Hours pass fast / Quick time
8. Borrowed time
Definition: Living or existing past an expected short limit.
Used in a Sentence: The old broken computer feels like it is running on borrowed time. / We knew the rainy weather was on borrowed time before sunshine returned.
Similar Expressions: Extra time / Temporary grace
9. A flash in the pan
Definition: A brief burst of success that ends quickly.
Used in a Sentence: His great score on the first quiz was just a flash in the pan. / That toy craze turned out to be a flash in the pan.
Similar Expressions: Short success / Brief trend
10. Split second
Definition: A tiny fraction of time.
Used in a Sentence: It took a split second to catch the falling baseball. / In a split second, the cat jumped off the couch.
Similar Expressions: Moment / Instant
11. Quick off the mark
Definition: Starting something very fast without delay.
Used in a Sentence: The runner was quick off the mark when the whistle blew. / She was quick off the mark to answer the teacher question.
Similar Expressions: Fast start / Ready immediately
12. Cutting it close
Definition: Arriving or finishing right at the edge of the time limit.
Used in a Sentence: We were cutting it close when arriving for the school bus. / He finished his science project cutting it close to the deadline.
Similar Expressions: Barely on time / Close call
13. Running out of sand
Definition: Having very little time left to finish something.
Used in a Sentence: I realized I was running out of sand during the spelling test. / We hurried up because the clock was running out of sand.
Similar Expressions: Low on time / Time is short
14. Pressed for time
Definition: Feeling rushed because you do not have enough time.
Used in a Sentence: I was pressed for time so I ate my breakfast fast. / Do not rush me just because we are pressed for time.
Similar Expressions: Rushed / Busy schedule
15. Short and sweet
Definition: Lasting for a brief time and being very pleasant.
Used in a Sentence: The coach gave a short and sweet speech before the game. / Let keep our meeting short and sweet today.
Similar Expressions: Brief / Quick and nice
16. In a flash
Definition: Happening as fast as lightning.
Used in a Sentence: The shooting star crossed the night sky in a flash. / My brother finished his chores in a flash.
Similar Expressions: Instantly / Super fast
17. In short order
Definition: Completed very quickly and without any delays.
Used in a Sentence: The workers cleaned up the messy park in short order. / We packed our suitcases in short order.
Similar Expressions: Very fast / Promptly
18. Whistle stop
Definition: A very short visit made during a busy schedule.
Used in a Sentence: Our trip to the museum was just a whistle stop. / We made a whistle stop at the grocery store.
Similar Expressions: Quick visit / Brief stop
19. Flash of lightning
Definition: Something that lasts for only a blinding second.
Used in a Sentence: The bright idea hit my brain like a flash of lightning. / The storm arrived in a flash of lightning.
Similar Expressions: Instant spark / Brief flash
20. Quick trip
Definition: A journey that takes very little time.
Used in a Sentence: We made a quick trip to the library for books. / It is a quick trip to the corner bakery.
Similar Expressions: Short drive / Brief outing
21. Brief window
Definition: A small amount of time available to do something.
Used in a Sentence: We had a brief window of sunshine to play outside. / There is a brief window to submit your permission slip.
Similar Expressions: Small chance / Short span
22. Passing moment
Definition: A short unit of time that goes away quickly.
Used in a Sentence: Winning the ribbon was just a happy passing moment. / Do not worry about that minor mistake because it is a passing moment.
Similar Expressions: Brief time / Temporary second
23. Fleeting second
Definition: A moment that disappears before you notice.
Used in a Sentence: Catching sight of the rare bird was a fleeting second. / Childhood feels like a fleeting second looking back.
Similar Expressions: Quick blink / Short instant
24. Run against time
Definition: Trying hard to finish something before the clock hits zero.
Used in a Sentence: We had to run against time to finish our painting. / The team played a race against time to score.
Similar Expressions: Racing the clock / Beating time
25. Time of day
Definition: A specific short moment or hour.
Used in a Sentence: I do not have time of day to play video games right now. / What time of day does our soccer practice start?
Similar Expressions: Specific hour / Moment
26. Quick breather
Definition: A very short rest break.
Used in a Sentence: Let take a quick breather after running two laps. / I need a quick breather before starting my history report.
Similar Expressions: Short rest / Brief pause
27. Brief spell
Definition: A short period of weather or activity.
Used in a Sentence: We had a brief spell of rain during lunch. / A brief spell of quiet helped me focus.
Similar Expressions: Short time / Little while
28. Jiffy
Definition: An informal word for a very short time.
Used in a Sentence: I will tie my shoes in a jiffy. / Dinner will be served in a jiffy.
Similar Expressions: Second / Moment
29. Fast track
Definition: A quick way to achieve a goal in less time.
Used in a Sentence: Reading every night puts you on the fast track to learning. / He placed his project on the fast track.
Similar Expressions: Quick route / Speed path
30. Race against the clock
Definition: Working as fast as possible because time is short.
Used in a Sentence: We were in a race against the clock to finish the test. / Baking the cake became a race against the clock.
Similar Expressions: Beating time / Rushing
31. Short span
Definition: A small length of time.
Used in a Sentence: Flowers bloom for a short span during spring. / We learned the new dance in a short span of days.
Similar Expressions: Brief period / Little time
32. Quick look
Definition: Glancing at something for a tiny moment.
Used in a Sentence: I took a quick look at the clock before recess. / Give this drawing a quick look to see if you like it.
Similar Expressions: Fast glance / Brief peek
33. Short notice
Definition: Having very little warning before something happens.
Used in a Sentence: Grandma came to visit us on short notice. / We had to prepare the science fair on short notice.
Similar Expressions: Little warning / Fast prep
34. Quick turn
Definition: Changing direction or finishing a lap in fast time.
Used in a Sentence: The swimmer made a quick turn at the pool wall. / We made a quick turn down the hallway.
Similar Expressions: Fast pivot / Rapid change
35. Temporary fix
Definition: A quick solution that works for a short time.
Used in a Sentence: Taping the torn page was just a temporary fix. / We need a real plan, not a temporary fix.
Similar Expressions: Quick patch / Short repair
36. Quick chat
Definition: Talking with someone for just a minute.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher called me over for a quick chat. / We had a quick chat about our weekend plans.
Similar Expressions: Brief talk / Short conversation
37. Short pause
Definition: Stopping an activity for just a moment.
Used in a Sentence: There was a short pause in the music before the song ended. / We took a short pause to drink water.
Similar Expressions: Quick break / Brief stop
38. Fast lane
Definition: Living or doing things at a very fast pace.
Used in a Sentence: Middle school feels like living in the fast lane sometimes. / He likes to complete his homework in the fast lane.
Similar Expressions: High speed / Rapid pace
39. Quick nap
Definition: Sleeping for a very short duration.
Used in a Sentence: I took a quick nap after playing soccer. / A quick nap helps me feel awake again.
Similar Expressions: Catnap / Short rest
40. Short bite
Definition: Eating a meal or snack in a rush.
Used in a Sentence: We grabbed a short bite before heading to the movie theater. / Let take a short bite at the picnic table.
Similar Expressions: Fast snack / Quick meal
41. Quick wash
Definition: Cleaning something in a hurry.
Used in a Sentence: I gave my paint brush a quick wash in the sink. / We gave the car a quick wash before the trip.
Similar Expressions: Fast rinse / Speed clean
42. Short lap
Definition: Running or walking a small track distance quickly.
Used in a Sentence: We ran one short lap around the playground. / The coach asked for a short lap to warm up.
Similar Expressions: Quick circuit / Small run
43. Quick read
Definition: A book or story that takes very little time to finish.
Used in a Sentence: This comic book is a fun and quick read. / I finished the short story as a quick read.
Similar Expressions: Fast book / Short text
44. Short stay
Definition: Visiting a place for a very brief time.
Used in a Sentence: Our visit to my cousins was a short stay. / We had a short stay at the beach house.
Similar Expressions: Brief visit / Quick trip
45. Quick reply
Definition: Answering someone back without waiting.
Used in a Sentence: I sent a quick reply to my friend text message. / She gave a quick reply to the riddle.
Similar Expressions: Fast answer / Prompt response
46. Short session
Definition: A meeting or class that lasts only a few minutes.
Used in a Sentence: We had a short session on how to use the library computers. / Piano practice was a short session today.
Similar Expressions: Brief class / Quick meeting
47. Quick sketch
Definition: Drawing something in a rush without fine details.
Used in a Sentence: I made a quick sketch of the puppy in my notebook. / The artist drew a quick sketch of the park.
Similar Expressions: Fast drawing / Rough outline
48. Short tour
Definition: Looking around a building or place very fast.
Used in a Sentence: We took a short tour of the new school building. / The guide gave us a short tour of the museum.
Similar Expressions: Brief walk / Quick look
49. Quick check
Definition: Looking over something in a brief moment.
Used in a Sentence: Do a quick check of your math answers before turning them in. / I did a quick check to make sure my backpack had my pencils.
Similar Expressions: Fast review / Brief checkup
50. Short lap time
Definition: Racing around a track in very fast seconds.
Used in a Sentence: My toy car had a very short lap time on the track. / The runner achieved a short lap time today.
Similar Expressions: Fast speed / Quick record
Exercise to Practice
- I would adopt that cute puppy in a heartbeat because I love dogs.
- My dad is ready to go camping after waiting for six months at the drop of a hat.
- Weekend playtime goes by in the twinkling of an eye because it is so short.
- We hurried to pack our toys to beat the clock before dinner time.
- Time flies when you are sitting completely bored doing nothing for hours.
- The old broken computer feels like it is running on borrowed time.
- It took a split second to catch the baseball flying toward my glove.
- We were cutting it close when arriving five hours early for the school bus.
- I realized I was running out of sand during the spelling test and hurried to write.
- The soccer team played a race against the clock to score the winning goal.
- Flowers bloom for a short span of five hundred years during spring.
- We took a short tour of the new school building with our teacher.
- I sent a quick reply to my friend text message right away.
- A short session of math class lasted for eight whole hours without a break.
- Do a quick check of your math answers before turning them in.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you describe short amounts of time and fast moments in fun new ways. Try using a few of these expressions when talking with your friends or writing stories at school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for short time?
Some common idioms include in a heartbeat, at the drop of a hat, and time flies. People use these every day to describe moments that pass by very quickly.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms make our speech and writing much more colorful and interesting than plain words. They help us share big ideas or descriptions using fun mental pictures.
Are idioms hard to learn?
Idioms are easy to learn when you practice them with fun sentences and everyday examples. Reading them in context helps you remember their true meanings.
Can I use these idioms in school writing?
Yes, you can use these idioms in your stories and essays to make your writing stand out. Just make sure you use them correctly so your meaning is clear to your teacher.
Do all English idioms have literal meanings?
No, idioms usually have a figurative meaning that is different from the actual words inside them. For example, beating the clock does not actually mean hitting a physical wall clock with your hand.
