in the twinkling of an eye
The idiom "in the twinkling of an eye" originates from the brief moment it takes for an eye to blink and is often used to describe something that happens very quickly.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)Happening very quickly or almost instantly.
Example
- The accident happened in the twinkling of an eye.
- She finished her homework in the twinkling of an eye.
C1Religious
(formal)Describing an instantaneous transformation, especially at a significant event.
Example
- According to the scripture, believers will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye at the return of Christ.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "in the twinkling of an eye":
quick as thoughtquick as a flashquick as lightningin no timelightning fastin record time