tortoise speed

USAGE SUMMARY

"tortoise speed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is moving very slowly, often in a humorous or exaggerated context. An example could be: "The internet connection was so slow, it felt like it was operating at tortoise speed." Alternative expressions include "snail's pace" and "glacial speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Licences to develop oil fields are being awarded at tortoise speed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As the tortoise knows, speed can be over-rated.

Forbes

The idea would be to speed up tortoise-like talks on a trade deal with the European Union, and enable closer ties with the Pacific Alliance.Another change if Mr Neves won would be in the sense of the "independent" foreign policy that Brazil has proclaimed in recent decades.

The Economist

It does eventually because the rabbit has speed, but the tortoise has stamina.

Harvard University

It does eventually, because the rabbit has speed, but the tortoise has stamina.

Harvard University

Night after night we shared tales of Quasimodo, the walking pigeon, or Achilles, the tortoise (stumbling off "at top speed" to eat wild strawberries in private), Margo insisting that "a change is as good as a feast" and, funniest of all, the outrageous Larry – comparing his mother's new bathing costume to "a badly skinned whale" and christening Gerald's handmade boat the Bootle Bumtrinket.

The Guardian - Books

And the patience of the tortoise but not the slow speed.

TechCrunch

When not downloading mail with the speed of a tortoise, the Treo does, however, send messages reliably and quickly.

Forbes

But "chase" might be too generous: A giant tortoise "will hit a cruising speed of about 1/6 mph," the National Wildlife Federation writes.

Huffington Post

Soon, if all goes well, the Spirit and a twin craft, scheduled to land on the far side of Mars on Jan . 24 will begin three months of exploration, traveling across the surface at the plodding speed of giant tortoises.

The New York Times

Even the islands' giant tortoises, travelling at a typical speed of 0.16 mph, could have delivered the postcards faster - taking just over four years to cover the equivalent distance of 6,000 miles (10,000km).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like 'awarded', 'moving' or 'developing' to highlight the contrast between an expected fast pace and the actual slow reality.

Common error

Do not describe a tortoise speed as 'sprinting' or 'running'. Since tortoises lumber or crawl, using high-action verbs creates a confusing mental image for the reader. Stick to verbs that match the animal's natural movement.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, "tortoise speed" acts as a noun phrase functioning as an adverbial of manner. It typically modifies a verb to indicate that an action is being performed with extreme slowness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To conclude, "tortoise speed" is a legitimate and effective English phrase used to denote extreme slowness. Ludwig shows that while it is less common than its cousin "snail's pace", it carries a distinct connotation of steady but frustratingly slow progress. It is favored by high-tier publications like The Economist and The New York Times for its descriptive power. Writers should use it to add a touch of irony or literary flair to their descriptions of slow movement, particularly in journalistic or editorial contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and recognized by experts as a valid stylistic choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snail's pace

A more common idiom using a different animal for the same effect.

tortoise pace

Substitutes speed for pace, which is often considered more idiomatic.

glacial speed

Uses a geological metaphor to imply even greater or more inevitable slowness.

lethargic pace

Adds a connotation of laziness or lack of energy to the slowness.

sluggish rate

Uses a more technical term 'rate' instead of the noun 'speed'.

creeping speed

Suggests movement that is barely perceptible and staying low to the ground.

plodding tempo

Focuses on the heavy, rhythmic nature of the slow movement.

unhurried rate

A more positive or neutral way to describe lack of haste.

leisurely crawl

Emphasizes the lack of urgency and the physical mode of movement.

slow motion

A literal description often used as a comparative metaphor.

FAQs

How to use tortoise speed in a sentence?

You can use it to describe slow progress, such as: "The government approved the permits at "tortoise speed", frustrating the developers."

What can I say instead of tortoise speed?

Common alternatives include "snail's pace" or "glacial speed" for a more dramatic effect.

Is it tortoise speed or tortoise pace?

Both are correct, though "tortoise pace" is slightly more frequent in literary contexts.

Is tortoise speed formal enough for a report?

It is better suited for journalism or descriptive essays. In a formal business report, consider using "marginal rate of progress" or simply "slowly".