before you can say Jack Robinson
Meaning
Phrase
- Very quickly; quicker than one expects.
Related
Similar words
- in the twinkling of an eye
- in two shakes of a lamb's tail
- quick as anything
- quick as a flash
- quick as a fox
- quick as lightning
Origin
- Uncertain. There is some speculation that this is a reference to Sir John Robinson, a Lieutenant at the Tower of London around 1600, but there is nothing known about him that is associated with speed (Samuel Pepys called him as “a talking bragging bufflehead.”), and the phrase does not appear in print until 1778.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.
And much more
Try out Vedaist now.