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Region: General | Usage example: Traffic cleared in the blink of an eye after the storm moved on.

In the blink of an eye

Meaning

Something happening extremely quickly.

Usage

Used when commenting on sudden changes or fast results.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to the very short duration of a single eyelid blink.

Appears in early modern English describing brief moments.