Robinson (redirected from Robinson, Smokey)

before you can say Jack Robinson (old-fashioned)

if you say that something happens before you can say Jack Robinson, it happens very suddenly. I offered her a chocolate but before you could say Jack Robinson she'd eaten half the box.

See also: before, can, jack, say

Heath Robinson (British)

if a machine or system is Heath Robinson, it is very complicated in a way that is funny, but not practical or effective. My granny's got this great Heath Robinson device for slicing eggs.