PhrasesHub

Thick and fast

    Definitions

      • occurring rapidly and in large quantities
        Describing something happening quickly and in great numbers

      • closely packed together
        Describing things that are tightly clustered or densely packed

    Examples of Thick and fast

    • The rain came down thick and fast, making it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of us.

      This example uses the idiom "thick and fast" to describe a heavy downpour of rain. It suggests that the rainfall was heavy and happened frequently, making it difficult to see through due to the sheer volume of water falling in quick succession.

    • The questions kept coming thick and fast, and I struggled to keep up with the barrage of inquiries.

      This example uses the idiom "thick and fast" to describe a speedy and repetitive series of questions. It implies that the questions were frequent and closely spaced, making it challenging to answer them all in a timely and satisfactory manner.

    • Ideas were being pitched thick and fast, but we were still unsure which one would be the best fit for our project.

      This example uses the idiom "thick and fast" to describe a constant stream of ideas. It suggests that there was a high volume of proposed concepts being presented, making it difficult to filter out which one would be the most practical or relevant for a specific purpose.

    • The accusations were flying thick and fast, and I could sense the tension in the air.

      This example uses the idiom "thick and fast" to describe a rapid and heavy flow of accusations. It implies that the allegations were being made frequently and with great intensity, adding to the overall discord and animosity between the parties involved.

    • The snow fell thick and fast during the winter storm yesterday, making it impossible for us to leave the house.

      In this example, "thick and fast" is used to describe the heavy snowfall that occurred during the winter storm. The snow was falling heavily and rapidly, making it difficult to move around outside.

    • The questions came thick and fast in the job interview, challenging me to think quickly and efficiently.

      In this example, "thick and fast" is used to describe the rapid-fire succession of questions asked during the job interview. The questions were coming one after the other, making it a challenging experience for the candidate.

    • Ideas were generated thick and fast during the brainstorming session, leading us to find a creative solution to the problem at hand.

      In this example, "thick and fast" is used to describe the abundance and rapidity of creative ideas generated during the brainstorming session. The ideas were coming in quickly and in large numbers, making it a productive and successful session.

    • The criticism came thick and fast after we made a mistake in our presentation, leaving us feeling demoralized and disheartened.

      In this example, "thick and fast" is used to describe the steady stream of criticism and negative feedback that followed the mistake in the presentation. The criticism was coming in frequently and intensely, leaving the presenters feeling discouraged and demoralized.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "thick and fast" is used to convey the idea of something happening rapidly and in large quantities. It can refer to events, information, or even physical objects that are coming at a fast pace and in great numbers. The phrase is often used to emphasize the speed and abundance of a particular situation, adding a sense of urgency or intensity to the description.

    The idiom can also be used to describe things that are closely packed together, such as a crowd of people or a cluster of objects. In this context, it highlights the density or compactness of the items in question, emphasizing their proximity and lack of space between them.

    Overall, "thick and fast" is a versatile idiom that can be used to convey both the rapidity and abundance of a situation, as well as the close packing or clustering of items.

    Origin of "Thick and fast"

    The origin of the idiom "thick and fast" can be traced back to the 17th century, with the word "thick" being used to describe something that is closely packed together or densely clustered. The addition of "fast" in the idiom serves to emphasize the rapidity of the situation, creating a powerful image of things happening quickly and in great numbers.

    One possible origin of the idiom is its use in describing the falling of rain or snow. When precipitation comes down "thick and fast," it is falling rapidly and in large quantities, creating a dense and intense weather phenomenon. Over time, the idiom has been extended to describe a wide range of situations where things are happening quickly and in great numbers, solidifying its place in the English language as a vivid and expressive phrase.