In the blink of an eye

Meaning

The idiom "in the blink of an eye" means that something happens suddenly, quickly, or unexpectedly. It refers to a very short period of time, typically less than a second, during which a significant event occurs. The phrase is often used to describe a surprising or astonishing development, as in "he won the lottery in the blink of an eye."

Usage

• "I had just finished my meal when I received a call from my boss offering me a promotion. It happened in the blink of an eye!"
• "She arrived at the station and caught her train just as it was about to leave. She made it in time thanks to the magic of modern transportation."
• "The storm hit us suddenly, and we were caught off guard. We took shelter in the nearest building before the rain started coming down in sheets."
• "She passed her driving test on the first attempt, much to our surprise. It's like she was born to drive!"
• "I had been looking for a new job for months when I received an email offering me a position at my dream company. It was a dream come true in the blink of an eye."

Roots and History

The idiom "in the blink of an eye" is believed to have originated from the English language in the 16th century. The phrase refers to the way our eyes can blink rapidly when we are surprised or shocked, making it seem as if time has passed in a blur. Over time, the idiom has come to be used more metaphorically to describe sudden and unexpected events that happen quickly, without warning.

Synonyms in English

• "In a flash"
• "In no time"
• "Before you know it"
• "Suddenly"
• "In the blink of an eye"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Dans la seconde" (in two seconds)
• Spanish: "En un instante" (in an instant)
• German: "Innerhalb von Sekunden" (within seconds)
• Italian: "In pochi secondi" (in a few seconds)
• Japanese: "瞬間的に" (instantaneously)

Similar Idioms

• in tandem

• a stitch in time saves nine

• waiting time