a blink of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blink of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very brief moment in time, often to emphasize how quickly something happens. Example: "The car sped by in a blink of a second, leaving us stunned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a blink of a second, all the power goes out inexplicably all over the planet.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of the most memorable playmakers have come and gone in a blink of an NFL second.

Huffington Post

It lasted less than a blink of an eye, just half a second, and his expression didn't change at all, but I saw it happen.

The New Yorker

In an instant that one utility official called "a blink-of-the-eye second" shortly after 4 p.m., the grid that distributes electricity to the eastern United States became overloaded.

The New York Times

But it became intolerable when astronomers declared that the earth is but one of a hundred billion trillion other planets, and when geologists demonstrated that recorded history is but a blink of time -- a microsecond of the second of earth's existence.

Huffington Post

Then it streaks across the middle distance in a small part of a second, really just a blink of lights, and whines away.

The New Yorker

With each blink — less than a tenth of a second — a major component of the scene changes: a tree, a car, a balcony, a sign.

The New York Times - Science

Some blinks lasted for a fraction of a second, others for several seconds.

Science Magazine

Too many times I've hit the camera button only to find the shot actually fired a fraction of a second later, capturing a blink or awkward pose rather than what I envisioned.

TechCrunch

Physicists hope such collisions will yield a bizarre type of matter that blinked out of existence a millionth of a second after the universe was born.

Science Magazine

Under the influence of a mysterious force field during the first trillionth of a fraction of a second, what would become the observable universe ballooned by 100 trillion trillion times in size from a subatomic pinprick to a grapefruit in less than a violent eye-blink, so the story first enunciated by Alan Guth of M.I.T. goes.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance descriptions of speed in narratives, reports, or creative writing by using the phrase to make the event more relatable and understandable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using “a blink of a second” excessively in technical or formal writing where precise measurements are expected. In such contexts, providing the actual duration in milliseconds or seconds is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blink of a second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the speed at which an action occurs. It emphasizes the extremely short duration of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and understandability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Science & Research

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blink of a second" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a very short amount of time. As verified by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the speed of an event, particularly in news, science, and descriptive writing. Although common, it's advisable to avoid overuse in contexts demanding precise numerical measurements. Alternative phrases like "in an instant" or "in a flash" can provide variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a split second

Highlights the division of a second, emphasizing precision and speed.

in an instant

Focuses on the immediacy and suddenness of an event, rather than a measurable duration.

in a flash

Emphasizes the speed and visual quickness of an event.

in the twinkling of an eye

A more poetic and figurative way to describe a very brief moment.

in a heartbeat

Implies a very short time, comparable to the duration of a single heartbeat.

in no time at all

Indicates that an event takes place very quickly.

momentarily

Indicates something happens briefly or for a short time.

almost instantaneously

Stresses the near-impossibility of measuring the duration due to its extreme shortness.

before you know it

Focuses on the unexpected speed with which something occurs.

just like that

Suggests an action happened suddenly and effortlessly.

FAQs

How can I use "a blink of a second" in a sentence?

You can use "a blink of a second" to emphasize how quickly something happens. For example: "The race car vanished in "a blink of a second"."

What can I say instead of "a blink of a second"?

You can use alternatives like "in an instant", "in a flash", or "in a split second" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the blink of a second"?

While less common, "in the blink of a second" carries a similar meaning to ""a blink of a second"". The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "a blink of an eye" and "a blink of a second"?

"A blink of an eye" refers to the action of blinking and is used to describe something happening very quickly. "A blink of a second" more directly references a tiny unit of time, though both imply extreme brevity.