PhrasesHub

The quick and the dead

    Definitions

      • speed and finality
        Refers to the living and the dead, highlighting the contrast between the two and the inevitable finality of death

      • competition
        Describes a situation where there is a sense of urgency and competition to achieve something before it's too late

    Examples of The quick and the dead

    • John had to make a decision quickly, as the clock was ticking and the situation was critical. He knew that he couldn't afford to be slow and deliberate, as doing so would put both himself and his team at risk. In the end, he took swift and decisive action, understanding that in times like these, the quick and the dead were the only options available.

      This example showcases the use of the idiom "the quick and the dead" to describe a situation where quick action is necessary, and failure to act swiftly could lead to disastrous consequences. In this case, John understood that his team's success and safety depended on his ability to act quickly, and he was willing to take the necessary risks to ensure their survival.

    • Sarah had always been a fast-talker, and her ability to think on her feet had helped her climb the ladder of success in her company. She knew that in her line of work, the quick and the dead were the only options available, and that slow and indecisive people didn't last long in her industry. She was always looking for ways to optimize her processes, streamline her operations, and find innovative solutions to complex problems, all in the name of doing things quickly and efficiently.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom "the quick and the dead" can be used to describe a person's work style and approach to problem-solving. Sarah's ability to think quickly and act decisively was a key factor in her success, as it allowed her to stay ahead of her competitors and capitalize on opportunities before they passed her by.

    • The CEO of the company, a grizzled veteran in the industry, was known for being both quick and dead. He was a man who knew how to get things done, no matter the cost. He was unafraid to take risks, cut corners, and sometimes even bend the rules in order to achieve his goals. He was respected by his peers, feared by his competitors, and admired by his loyal employees, all of whom recognized the value of having someone who could pull off the impossible in such a cut-throat and competitive industry.

      This example showcases the darker side of the idiom "the quick and the dead," as it is often associated with ruthless and unscrupulous individuals who are willing to cut corners and break the rules in order to get ahead. The CEO in this example is a complex character, both admirable and dubious, who embodies the spirit of the quick and the dead in his work style and approach to business.

    • In the intense and high-stakes world of professional sports, the quick and the dead are the only options available. Athletes must be able to react quickly and decisively, as failure to do so can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. They must also be willing to take risks, push themselves to the limit, and make split-second decisions under immense pressure. It is this combination of speed, agility, and courage that sets the quick and the dead apart from the rest, and that allows them to achieve greatness in their chosen fields.

      This example illustrates the use of the idiom "the quick and the dead" in the context of sports, where speed, agility, and quick decision-making are critical components of success. Athletes who can react quickly and decisively, and who are willing to take calculated risks, are often the ones who emerge victorious in the end.

    • The team worked quickly to complete the project before their competitors, the slow and the dead, caught up.

      This example uses the idiom "the quick and the dead" to compare the speed and efficiency of the team to their competitors. In this context, "the dead" refers to those who are behind or lagging behind in the race, and the team wants to avoid falling into that category by working quickly. The image of the "dead" in this context emphasizes the urgency and importance of finishing the project quickly.

    • The cheetah sprinted past the slower gazelles and the deceased prey, demonstrating its quickness as the undisputed ruler of the savannah.

      This example uses the idiom in a context involving animals. Here, "the dead" refers to the prey that the cheetah has previously caught and consumed. The use of "the dead" creates a powerful image of the cheetah's strength and agility in the face of its prey, highlighting its status as a quick predator.

    • The company interacted quickly and efficiently with their clients, outshining their competitors, the snails, who moved at a painfully slow pace.

      In this example, "the snails" substitute the idiom's usual second term, which is "the dead." Here, we're using "snails" because they are incredibly slow-moving creatures, and this changes the comparison of speed a bit. It still plays on the idea that those who are not quick enough are not surviving, though in this example, "the dead" is substituted with another metaphor.

    • The man avoided the heavy traffic, bypassing the slow cars and the fatal accidents, to arrive at his destination promptly.

      This example uses "the dead" as an abstraction, replacing it with the more figurative "fatal accidents." Here, the dead metaphor is still present as an image of immense danger, which is avoided by the quick; this example shows how flexible the meaning of the idiom can be.Overall, the use of "the quick and the dead" in these four examples highlights the necessity of being efficient and swift in various contexts, from sports, sales, and even traffic, where "the dead" is a metaphor for those who fail to achieve a goal, from lost prey, late deliveries, or deadly accidents. The examples used illustrate the versatility and adaptability of this idiom, aiding in its clear, concise, and effective use in various writing contexts.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "The quick and the dead" is often used to emphasize the contrast between the living and the dead, as well as the urgency and competition in achieving something before it's too late.

    Origin of "The quick and the dead"

    The phrase "The quick and the dead" is derived from the Bible, specifically from the New Testament. In the Book of Acts and the Book of Timothy, it is used to refer to the judgment of the living and the dead by Jesus Christ. The word "quick" in this context means "living" or "alive," and "dead" refers to those who have passed away. Over time, the phrase has been adapted to also convey a sense of competition and urgency in various contexts, not just in the biblical sense. The idiom has become a common expression in English language, used to illustrate the contrast between the living and the dead, and the swift passage of time.