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Region: US | Usage example: He left the meeting like a bat out of hell.

Like a bat out of hell

Meaning

Very fast or reckless.

Usage

Used to describe sudden, frantic action.

Origin & History

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

Bats flying erratically at high speed.

Common since mid-20th-century slang for speed.