blink your eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blink your eye" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick action or moment, often implying something happens very fast or without much thought. Example: "The changes in technology occur so rapidly that it feels like they happen in the blink of an eye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is not even enough time to blink your eye.

The Economist

Her college coach, Pat Connolly, says, "You can't even blink your eye that fast".

The New York Times - Sports

WMAP's results also support the view that the cosmos grew from subatomic size to astronomical scale in less time than it takes to blink your eye.

Johns Hopkins University

One story in this vein noted how e-mail "saves paper and time," since "128 copies of a memo can be distributed throughout the plant in less time than it takes to blink your eye".

Forbes

* Charles L. Bennett, an astrophysicist at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, has won a $5 million National Science Foundation grant — administered through the stimulus act — to build an instrument designed to probe what happened during the universe's first trillionth of a second, when it suddenly grew from submicroscopic to astronomical size in far less time than it takes to blink your eye.

Johns Hopkins University

A team led by a Johns Hopkins astrophysicist has won a $5 million National Science Foundation grant administered through the stimulus act to build an instrument designed to probe what happened during the universe's first trillionth of a second, when it suddenly grew from submicroscopic to astronomical size in far less time than it takes to blink your eye.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Don't blink your eyes.

The Guardian - Arts

"Look at it and blink your eyes.

The New York Times - Sports

"It flies by; you blink your eyes.

The New York Times

"It's not like you blink your eyes and it's back up again," said Mr. Vitiello.

The New York Times

"You are asked to blink your eyes and nod your head and the software can read that.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “blink your eye” to vividly illustrate how quickly something happens or to emphasize the need for attention to avoid missing something important.

Common error

While effective in many situations, avoid using “blink your eye” excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “blink your eye” primarily functions as part of an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the speed or suddenness of an event. Ludwig examples show it used to illustrate quick actions and missed opportunities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “blink your eye” is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey the speed or suddenness of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media, as well as general and academic contexts. While less frequent than the similar phrase “in the blink of an eye”, “blink your eye” effectively highlights quick occurrences. When writing, it's best to use it in neutral to informal situations to maintain a relatable and engaging tone while avoiding overuse in overly formal or academic writing where greater precision may be required. Alternative phrases include "in a flash" and "in an instant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the blink of an eye

Uses a more standard variation with an article.

in the twinkling of an eye

Emphasizes the speed and instantaneous nature of an event.

in a flash

Highlights the sudden and rapid occurrence of something.

in an instant

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of delay.

in a split second

Highlights the brevity and speed of an event.

before you know it

Indicates that time passes quickly and unexpectedly.

as quick as a wink

Emphasizes speed using a familiar idiom.

without a second thought

Indicates a quick, unconsidered action or decision.

close your eyes

Focuses on the physical action of closing your eyes and potentially missing something.

before you can say Jack Robinson

Conveys the idea of something happening very quickly.

FAQs

What does “blink your eye” mean?

The phrase “blink your eye” is an idiom that means something happens very quickly, almost instantaneously. It's often used to emphasize the speed of an action or event.

How can I use “blink your eye” in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how fast time passes or how quickly something occurs. For example: "The project was completed in the "twinkling of an eye"".

What can I say instead of “blink your eye”?

You can use alternatives like "in an instant", "in a flash", or "before you know it" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say “blink your eye” or “in the blink of an eye”?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "in the blink of an eye" is the more common and idiomatic expression. “Blink your eye” is less frequent but still understandable.