speed (redirected from sped)

*speeds of

some amount a variety of speeds (of movement) of a certain level. (*Typically: clock someone at ~; have ~; hit ~; reach ~.) The cops clocked him at speeds of up to one hundred miles per hour.

*up to speed 

1. Fig. moving, operating, or funtioning a normal or desired rate. (*Typically: be ~; bring something ~; get ~; get something ~.) Terri did everything she could to bring her workers up to speed, but couldn't. Can we get this production line up to speed?

2. and *up to speed on someone or something Fig. fully apprised about someone or something; up-to-date on the state of someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; bring someone ~; get ~; get someone ~.) Please bring me up to speed on this matter. I'll feel better about it when I get up to speed on what's going on.

See also: up

at full speed and at full tilt; at full throttle

as fast as possible. The motor was running at full speed. John finished his running at full tilt. When the horse reached the back stretch he was at full throttle.

See also: full

Make haste slowly, and More haste, less speed.

Prov. Act quickly, but not so quickly that you make careless mistakes. Jane: Why are you throwing your clothes around the room? Alan: You told me to get my things packed in a hurry. Jane: Yes, but make haste slowly; otherwise we'll have to spend an hour cleaning up the mess you make. I know you want to finish that sweater by Joe's birthday, but you're knitting so fast that you make mistakes. More haste, less speed.

See also: haste, make

pick up speed

to increase speed. The train began to pick up speed as it went downhill. The car picked up speed as we moved into the left lane.

See also: pick, up

speed someone or something up

to cause someone or something to move faster. We tried to speed him up, but he is just a very slow person. We sped up the process, but it still took too long.

See also: up

speed away (from someone or something)

to move or drive away very fast from someone or something. The taxi sped away from the passenger who had just alighted. The car sped away from the accident. The motorcycle sped away.

See also: away

speed up

to go faster. Please speed up. We are late.

See also: up

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up to speed

if you are up to speed with a subject or an activity, you have all the latest information about it and are able to do it well (often + with ) We arranged for some home tutoring to get him up to speed with the other children in his class. (often + on ) Before we start the meeting, I'm just going to bring you up to speed on the latest developments.

See also: up

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full speed ahead

with all possible energy and enthusiasm full steam ahead The company decided to go full speed ahead on plans to make pasta in the United States.

See also: ahead, full

pick up speed

to increase in value or degree Stocks picked up speed in the final hour of trading this afternoon.

See also: pick, up

up to speed

having the most recent information It took a long time for the FBI to get up to speed on computer crime. We'll bring you up to speed on the day's top stories after this commercial break.

Related vocabulary: stay abreast of something

See also: up