PhrasesHub

In the blink of an eye

    Definitions

      • quickly
        To express how something happens very fast or suddenly, often without warning or preparation.

      • briefly
        To convey that something happened for a very short period of time or in a fleeting manner, without being able to fully grasp or appreciate it.

      • unexpectedly
        To describe something that occurred suddenly and without any warning or expectation, catching someone off guard or surprising them.

    • The car in front of me suddenly stopped, and in the blink of an eye, I had to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision.

      This idiom is used to describe how quickly something can happen, often unexpectedly. It implies that the event happened so quickly that it was barely noticeable, like the brief moment it takes for your eyelids to close and reopen.

    • My baby sister, who was just a toddler last year, is now a chatterbox who can talk my ear off for hours on end. It seems like only yesterday she was learning to say her first words, and now she's a little girl in her own right. Time really does fly by in the blink of an eye!

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the passage of time. It highlights how quickly children grow up, and how it can sometimes feel like time is moving too fast.

    • I couldn't believe how quickly the party went by. It felt like I had just arrived, and suddenly it was time to go home. It's amazing how quickly the night can fly by in the blink of an eye!

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the speed at which an event or activity can come to an end. It implies that the event seemed to pass by so quickly that it felt like no time had passed at all.

    • The company's stock price skyrocketed overnight, and now it's worth millions of dollars. It's amazing how quickly fortunes can change in the blink of an eye!

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the sudden and unexpected change in circumstances. It implies that the change happened so quickly that it was barely noticeable, like the blink of an eye.

    • I can't believe how quickly my child has grown up. It seems like only yesterday she was a tiny baby, and now she's a young woman. Time really does fly by in the blink of an eye!

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the speed at which children grow up. It highlights how quickly children seem to grow and develop, and how it can sometimes feel like time is moving too fast.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "in the blink of an eye" is commonly used to describe something happening quickly or suddenly, often without warning. It can also convey a sense of brevity or unexpectedness.

    This idiom can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing a fast-paced event or action to expressing how time seems to pass by quickly. It can also be used to emphasize how sudden and unexpected something is, adding a sense of surprise or shock to the situation.

    In general, the idiom is used to emphasize the speed or suddenness of something, whether it be a physical action or a change in circumstances. It can also be used to convey a sense of awe or disbelief at how quickly something has happened.

    The origin of the idiom "in the blink of an eye" is believed to come from the Bible, specifically the New Testament. In the book of Corinthians, it is written "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." This phrase was later changed to "in the blink of an eye" and became a popular idiom in the English language.

    The phrase itself references the physical action of blinking, which is a quick and sudden movement of the eyelid. This action is often used as a comparison to describe something happening quickly or suddenly.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to have a more figurative meaning and is now commonly used to describe a wide range of situations. However, its origin can still be traced back to its biblical roots.