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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

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

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

Appears in early modern English describing brief moments.

Related Idioms

Blink and you miss it

So quick that it could easily be overlooked.

Needle in a haystack

Something extremely difficult to find.

A cold day in hell

Something extremely unlikely to happen.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.