PhrasesHub

racing like a greyhound

    Definitions

      • moving very fast
        Describing someone or something moving at a rapid pace, often in a literal or figurative sense

      • competing fiercely
        Describing a person or a group competing vigorously or aggressively in a race or competition

    Examples of racing like a greyhound

    • The Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt seemed to be racing like a greyhound as he zoomed down the track to break the world record in the 100m dash.

      The idiom "racing like a greyhound" means moving exceptionally fast, like a racing greyhound at the starting gate. It describes how Usain Bolt's speed was so remarkable that it was comparable to that of a greyhound during a race. In this context, the use of the idiom highlights Bolt's swiftness and his extraordinary ability to break records in sprinting.

    • The cheetah in the zoo was released into the savannah and started racing like a greyhound to hunt down its prey.

      This example shows the use of the idiom in the context of an animal, specifically a cheetah. The idiom "racing like a greyhound" helps to illustrate just how quick and speedy this big cat is when hunting. It describes how the cheetah appeared to move with incredible velocity, much like a racing greyhound in a track.

    • The formula one car zoomed out of the starting grid and raced like a greyhound, leaving the other drivers in the dust.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe the extraordinary speed of a formula one car at the start of a race. The comparison to a racing greyhound highlights just how quickly the car accelerates and how quickly it can leave its competitors behind. The use of the idiom helps to convey the intense excitement and drama of watching a formula one race.

    • The boy playing basketball was dribbling the ball so quickly that he raced like a greyhound down the court.

      This example demonstrates the use of the idiom in the context of basketball. It highlights the boy's exceptional speed and his rapid movements as he dribbles the ball down the court. The comparison to a racing greyhound brings to life the sensation of watching a highly skilled athlete in action, making the scene more vivid and exciting for the reader or listener.

    • The athlete dashed across the finish line with lightning speed, her legs pumping like a greyhound's as she left her competitors far behind.

      The idiom "racing like a greyhound" refers to moving very quickly and efficiently, like a greyhound in a dog race. Greyhounds are known for their speed and agility, and this idiom is often used to describe someone who is moving quickly and effortlessly. In this example, the athlete's speed and efficiency are compared to that of a greyhound in a dog race.

    • The train hurtled down the tracks at breakneck speed, racing like a greyhound towards its destination.

      In this example, "racing like a greyhound" is used to describe the train's speed and efficiency in moving quickly towards its destination. Greyhounds are known for their speed, and this idiom is used to evoke a similar sense of speed and efficiency in describing the train's motion.

    • The stock prices skyrocketed within minutes, racing like a greyhound towards new heights.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe the rapid and unexpected growth in stock prices, comparing the speed and efficiency of the stock prices to that of a greyhound in a dog race. This use of the idiom highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of the stock price surge.

    • The sales figures shot upward like a rocket, racing like a greyhound towards unprecedented heights.

      In this example, the idiom "racing like a greyhound" is used to describe the rapid and unexpected increase in sales figures, comparing the speed and efficiency of the sales figures to that of a greyhound in a dog race. This use of the idiom highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of the sales surge.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "racing like a greyhound" is often used to describe someone or something moving very fast or competing fiercely. It can be used in a literal sense, such as describing the speed of a vehicle or an animal, or in a figurative sense, to describe someone's rapid progress or intense competition.

    The phrase can also be used to emphasize the speed or intensity of a particular action or situation, and is often employed to create a vivid and dynamic image in the listener's mind.

    Origin of "racing like a greyhound"

    The origin of the idiom "racing like a greyhound" can be traced back to the image of a greyhound, which is a breed of dog known for its speed and agility. Greyhounds have been bred for centuries for their hunting and racing abilities, and their reputation for being fast and competitive animals has resulted in the use of the idiom to describe rapid movement or fierce competition.

    The phrase may have originated from the popularity of greyhound racing as a sport, where the dogs compete in high-speed races around a track. The image of the sleek and swift greyhounds racing against each other may have inspired the use of the idiom to convey the idea of moving at a rapid pace or engaging in fierce competition. Overall, the idiom "racing like a greyhound" likely draws on the long-standing association of greyhounds with speed and agility, and has been adopted into the English language to vividly convey the concept of rapid movement or intense competition.