in a wink

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a wink" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal idiom which means "very quickly". For example, "The cat ran up the tree in a wink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Travel

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But that disappears in a wink.

The New York Times - Arts

The other he shut, as if in a wink.

The New Yorker

In a wink of time, a gazillion zeroes have been abolished.

The Guardian

His running style is similar to Tony Dorsett's in that he can combine power with speed in a wink.

The New York Times - Sports

In a wink my grandfather dropped down on his hands and knees, stretched out his shirt and started scooping them up.

The New York Times

Of course he would "lick the Japs and Nazis in a wink," and that was the problem: "The war isn't going to end that soon".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We are in a recovery (wink wink).

Huffington Post

At the very least, these two still-distinct, venerable, 1960s-era espionage universes are talking to each other, if only in a wink-wink fashion.

The Guardian - Film

For months, the candidate has portrayed Muslims as the leading threat working against the United States and has routinely suggested in a wink-wink fashion that the president might secretly be a follower.

The Washington Post

Like so many Pakistani groups that combine guns with zealotry, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi thrives in a wink-and-nod netherworld: it is officially banned, but its leader, Malik Ishaq, was released from jail last year amid showers of rose petals thrown by supporters.

The New York Times

After their neighbor Mary Alice Brenda Strongg) kills herself one morning, once she has taken care of the laundry and painted a lawn chair — "quietly polishing the routine of my life until it gleamed with perfection," she says, in a wink-wink voice-over — the friends find a threatening note addressed to her among her belongings, and they set about trying to solve the mystery of her death.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your piece. While "in a wink" is acceptable, it might be too informal for academic or highly professional writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "in a wink" in formal documents or academic papers. Its informal nature can undermine the seriousness or professionalism required in those settings. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "immediately" or "instantaneously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a wink" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing how quickly an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English idiom. The examples provided illustrate its use to emphasize speed or suddenness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Food

12%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Arts

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a wink" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe something that happens very quickly. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s a usable expression that adds color to informal writing and conversation. While versatile, its informal register makes it unsuitable for academic or highly professional contexts where more precise language is preferred. When aiming for impact and vividness, "in a wink" is a great choice. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "instantaneously" or "immediately".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an instant

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy and lack of delay, similar to "in a wink".

in a flash

This phrase suggests a very brief period, emphasizing the speed of the action.

in a heartbeat

Implies immediate action or willingness, akin to something happening without hesitation.

in the blink of an eye

Highlights the speed and suddenness of an event, comparable to the action of winking.

before you knew it

Focuses on the lack of awareness of the passage of time, suggesting a quick transition.

momentarily

Describes something happening very briefly or for a moment.

suddenly

Indicates an unexpected and rapid occurrence or change.

instantaneously

Emphasizes the immediate nature of the action with no perceived delay.

promptly

Highlights that something happens without delay or with speed.

swiftly

Stresses the quickness and speed with which something is done.

FAQs

What does the idiom "in a wink" mean?

The idiom "in a wink" means very quickly or almost instantly. It's used to emphasize the speed with which something happens.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in a wink"?

It is appropriate in informal writing or conversation where you want to convey a sense of speed or suddenness. It is less suitable for formal or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "in a wink"?

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

Is it correct to say "in a wink of an eye"?

While "in a wink" and "in the blink of an eye" are both common idioms, combining them into "in a wink of an eye" is redundant. Choose either "in a wink" or "in the blink of an eye" for clearer communication.