a breakneck speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a breakneck speed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is happening at an extremely fast pace, often implying danger or risk due to the speed. Example: "The car raced down the highway at a breakneck speed, leaving other vehicles far behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Keren Cytter creates short DIY films at a breakneck speed.

The Guardian - Arts

"The Dogs of Littlefield" is character-driven but not at a breakneck speed.

The Washington Post

Yet, despite all this, the distance events are run at a breakneck speed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The comic relief and the suspense come at a breakneck speed in "2012," as in all Emmerich movies.

The New York Times

Memories pour out Ms. Jenkins at a breakneck speed, the past and present bumping up against each other.

The New York Times

Macedo's church was founded in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro and has since grown at a breakneck speed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The film's experimental nature is the work of Conner Griffith, a graphic designer, animator, and recent graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, whose other works include a "rippling" short that features overhead views of the Earth, and a breakneck-speed video of pedestrians and automobiles.

Vice

Leading the howls of protest was the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif ., who accused PR-Calif .Obama of designing a who site thaccusedates at a "blistering, breakneck sPresident

The New Yorker

However, it's hard to nurture artistic sensibility or technical understanding at a similar breakneck speed.

The Guardian

China's economy is still growing rapidly, albeit at a less breakneck speed than it was last year.

The Economist

LTD is a way to appeal to an older customer and differentiate from  the brand's other offerings aiming for, somewhat ironically given the inspiration, a less breakneck speed than seasonal trends.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations where rapid progress is essential but potentially risky, use "a breakneck speed" to highlight both the urgency and the potential for mistakes or accidents.

Common error

Avoid using "a breakneck speed" when simply describing something moving fast without the element of risk or potential danger. Opt for simpler terms like "high speed" or "rapid pace" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a breakneck speed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is happening very quickly, often implying a sense of urgency or recklessness. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science & Research

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a breakneck speed" is a common phrase used to describe something happening very quickly, often with an implied sense of risk or danger. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to emphasize the rapid and intense nature of an action. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning, as it carries a stronger connotation of potential danger than simpler terms like "high speed". Its frequency is categorized as "common", with its most frequent usage occurring in news and media, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a high-speed rate

Directly refers to a rate of speed that is faster than usual.

an extremely rapid pace

Replaces "speed" with "pace" and uses "extremely rapid" to emphasize the quickness.

a blistering pace

Uses "blistering" to suggest intense speed and activity.

an accelerated rate

Focuses on the rate of increase in speed, suggesting a rapid increase.

a lightning-fast tempo

Emphasizes the speed using the metaphor of lightning, often used for quickness.

a swift velocity

Substitutes "speed" with "velocity" and uses the adjective "swift" to denote quickness.

at warp speed

A science fiction reference, indicating very high velocity and speed.

a quickened tempo

Implies that the pace has increased from a slower starting point.

a rapid clip

Uses "clip" as an informal term for speed, emphasizing a brisk pace.

a fleet pace

Uses "fleet" to describe the quick and nimble nature of the pace.

FAQs

How can I use "a breakneck speed" in a sentence?

You can use "a breakneck speed" to describe anything happening very rapidly, often with an element of risk. For example, "The company expanded at "a breakneck speed", but quality suffered."

What can I say instead of "a breakneck speed"?

You can use alternatives like "an extremely "rapid pace"", "lightning-fast tempo", or "a blistering pace depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a breakneck speed" or "high speed"?

"A breakneck speed" implies not only fast movement but also potential danger or recklessness. "High speed" is a more neutral term, simply indicating fast movement without the implication of risk. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does it mean when something is happening at "a breakneck speed"?

It means that something is progressing or moving extremely quickly, possibly too quickly to maintain control or ensure safety. The term suggests a pace that is almost reckless due to its rapidity.