gust of speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gust of speed" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in a context where you want to describe a sudden increase in speed, perhaps in a metaphorical sense, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "As the car hit the straightaway, it felt like a gust of speed propelled us forward."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has an elusive gust of speed, too, when creativity alone is insufficient.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two Atlantic storms are expected to batter northern Scotland, with winds gusting to speeds of up to 100mph, forecasters have warned.

BBC

The paper addresses the issue of numerical and statistical modelling of extreme tropical cyclone winds in coastal regions, leading to the estimation of design return periods of gust wind speeds and the downstream application of risk models.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

To achieve this objective, we are using the generalized Pareto distribution as the diagnostic tool for determining the types of extreme gust wind speed distributions.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

With regular gust speeds of 100km/h, it's claimed by locals that the Bura will clean the sky.

Vice

Suddenly - on the five lane highway - with the increased speed, a gust of wind picked up and whipped off my headwear.

BBC

In a fully coupled reliability analysis, structural system fragilities are convolved with hurricane hazard models expressed in terms of 3-s gust wind speed.

Engineering Structures

The site was considered windy with an average gust speed of 36.6 km/h each day.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Although Auckland has a subtropical climate without extreme weather conditions, the findings suggest a significant impact of weather (gust speed, rain, temperature and sunshine duration) on both hourly and daily cycle volumes.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Convective downburst wind storms generate the peak annual gust wind speed for many parts of the non-cyclonic world at return periods of importance for ultimate limit state design.

Engineering Structures

The effect of simulating atmospheric turbulence on the flight of both types of object was also considered, and it was shown that if the gust wind speed during the course of the debris flight is used as the normalising velocity, the variations in trajectory, although noticeable, are not particularly large.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sudden bursts of energy or momentum, consider using "gust of speed" to add a vivid and evocative touch to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gust of speed" in highly formal or technical writing where precise and literal language is preferred. Opt for more direct terms like "sudden acceleration" or "rapid increase in velocity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gust of speed" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a sudden burst or rush of velocity. As Ludwig AI suggests, while not a conventional idiom, its usage is grammatically acceptable, adding descriptive intensity to writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gust of speed" is a grammatically sound, though not particularly common, noun phrase used to describe a sudden burst or increase in speed. As Ludwig AI points out, while not a standard idiom, it effectively conveys a sense of rapid acceleration and can add vividness to descriptive writing. Consider alternatives like "burst of speed" or "surge of speed" depending on the context. While acceptable in neutral registers, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing. The phrase is more frequently found in news and media or scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst of speed

Focuses on the sudden release of energy resulting in increased speed.

surge of speed

Implies a powerful and sudden rush forward.

sudden acceleration

More technical and descriptive, lacking the figurative quality of "gust".

quick burst

Emphasizes the rapid nature of the increase, applicable in various contexts beyond speed.

rapid tempo

Suitable when referring to an increase in the speed of music or other rhythmic activity

accelerated pace

Describes a quicker rate of progress, more often used in activities like running or working.

flash of speed

Highlights the brief and noticeable aspect of the increase in speed.

leap in velocity

Formal alternative that denotes an abrupt shift in speed.

pick-up in pace

Suggests a gradual increase, rather than something instantaneous. Typically refers to running.

boost in velocity

Conveys an enhancement in speed, often through external influence.

FAQs

What does "gust of speed" mean?

"Gust of speed" describes a sudden, rapid increase in speed or velocity, often used metaphorically to add emphasis or vividness.

What are some alternatives to "gust of speed"?

You can use alternatives like "burst of speed", "surge of speed", or "sudden acceleration" depending on the context.

Is "gust of speed" grammatically correct?

While not a standard idiom, "gust of speed" is grammatically sound and can be used effectively in descriptive writing.

How can I use "gust of speed" in a sentence?

You might say, "The race car experienced a "gust of speed" as it rounded the final turn" or "He felt a "gust of speed" as he sprinted towards the finish line".