as quick as a flash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as quick as a flash" is correct and usable in written English.
To use this phrase, you would typically be talking about something happening or happening very quickly. For example: "The teacher had the answer to the student's question as quick as a flash."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I hope not," says Winterbottom, as quick as a flash.

Independent

Then, as quick as a flash, the torrent returns, flooding their clubhouse with a layer of surrealism.

The New York Times - Sports

"Oh yes," he replies, as quick as a flash, he often broke it during revolutionary protests in his youth.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Any of Picasso's quick-as-a-flash sculptures, particularly Glass of Absinthe.

The Guardian - Arts

My old parachuting guerrilla agent father, with his once quick-as-a-flash brain … cries when he has to go home".

The Guardian - Books

That's not nearly as quick as the USB 3.0 flash drive from yesterday, but it's still faster than standard ol' USB 2.0.

TechCrunch

Get up as quick as you can".

The Economist

It was as quick as that".

BBC

When monitoring, be as quick as possible.

WikiHow

Grab some loot as quick as possible.

WikiHow

Quick as a flash, he replied, "As Dirk Bogarde said to Bill Kerr in Appointment in London in 1953".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as quick as a flash" to add vividness to your writing when describing actions or reactions that happen almost instantaneously. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative contexts to engage the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "as quick as a flash" in highly formal or academic writing. While the phrase is widely understood, it may be perceived as too informal for certain professional settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "immediately" or "instantly" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as quick as a flash" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the speed at which an action occurs. It indicates that something happens almost instantaneously. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Reference

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as quick as a flash" is a widely used adverbial phrase that describes something happening very rapidly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While appropriate for general use, it might be considered too informal for certain academic or business contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources and serves to emphasize the speed and immediacy of an action. Alternative phrases include "in the blink of an eye" and "instantly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In a flash

Shorter version of the original phrase focusing on the speed.

Like lightning

Uses a simile to emphasize the extreme speed of an event.

In the blink of an eye

Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of an action or event.

In a heartbeat

Highlights the minimal time required for something to occur.

Instantly

A single word that describes something that happens immediately.

Without hesitation

Focuses on the lack of delay in a decision or action.

Right away

Indicates that something happens immediately without delay.

Swiftly

Emphasizes a smooth and rapid action.

Promptly

Suggests something is done without delay and efficiently.

Rapidly

Highlights the high speed at which something occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "as quick as a flash" in a sentence?

You can use "as quick as a flash" to describe actions or reactions that happen very rapidly. For example, "She responded "as quick as a flash" when asked about her favorite book."

What are some alternatives to "as quick as a flash"?

Some alternatives to "as quick as a flash" include "instantly", "immediately", or "in the blink of an eye".

Is "as quick as a flash" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "as quick as a flash" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "promptly" or "swiftly".

What does "as quick as a flash" mean?

"As quick as a flash" means something happens very fast or instantaneously. It emphasizes the speed and immediacy of an action or event.