(as) slow as a snail
Exceptionally slow or sluggish; not fast at all. This old laptop my dad gave me is a piece of junk. It runs as slow as a snail! Come on, Becky, you're slow as a snail back there! Pick up the pace and keep up with the group. We're definitely going to be late if traffic keeps moving as slow as a snail.
at a snail's gallop
Very slowly. Snails are known for moving very slowly. My research is moving at a snail's gallop—every experiment I've tried so far has failed. We'll never get there on time with you driving at a snail's gallop! I feel bad for the people who get stuck behind me because I'm moving at a snail's gallop on these stupid crutches.
at a snail's pace
Very slowly (as a snail is known to move very slowly). My research is moving at a snail's pace—every experiment I've tried so far has failed. We'll never get there on time with you driving at a snail's pace! I feel bad for the people who get stuck behind me because I'm moving at a snail's pace on these stupid crutches.
be (as) slow as a snail
To be exceptionally slow or sluggish; to not be fast at all. This old laptop my dad gave me is a piece of junk. It's as slow as a snail! Come on, Becky, you're slow as a snail back there! Pick up the pace and keep up with the group. We're definitely going to be late if traffic keeps moving as slow as a snail.
snail mail
Paper mail sent through the postal service (as opposed to email). Snails are thought of as very slow. A: "Did we get any exciting snail mail today?" B: "Nah, just some bills." Wait, you sent the invitations by snail mail? Why didn't you just do e-vites?
snail's pace
A very slow, arduous pace or rate. My research is moving at a snail's pace—every experiment I've tried so far has failed. We're never going to recoup our development costs if the snail's pace of these sales doesn't pick up.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
at a snail's pace
and at a snail's gallopvery slowly. Things are moving along at a snail's pace here, but we'll finish on time—have no fear. Poor old Wally is creeping at a snail's gallop because his car has a flat tire.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
snail mail
Ordinary postal service, as opposed to electronic communications. For example, He hasn't taken to his computer so he's still using snail mail. This slangy idiom, alluding to the alleged slowness of the snail, caught on at least partly for its rhyme. [1980s]
snail's pace
A very slow pace, as in They're making progress with testing the new vaccine, but at a snail's pace. [c. 1400]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
at a snail's pace
COMMON If something is moving or happening at a snail's pace, it is moving or happening very slowly. The vote counting continues at a snail's pace but already clear results are emerging. The economy grew at a snail's pace in the first three months of this year. She was driving at a snail's pace, looking in every house. Note: You can also use snail's pace before a noun. Observers hope that the meeting will speed up two years of snail's-pace progress. Note: You usually use this expression when you think that it would be better if it went more quickly.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
at a snail's pace
extremely slowly.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
at a ˈsnail’s pace
(informal) very slowly: My grandmother drove the car at a snail’s pace.ˈsnail mail
(informal, humorous) used especially by people who use email on computers to describe the system of sending letters by ordinary mail: I’d love to hear from you, either by email or snail mail.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
at a snail’s pace
and at a snail’s gallop mod. very slowly. Poor old Willy is creeping at a snail’s gallop because his car has a flat tire. The building project is coming along at a snail’s pace.
at a snail’s gallop
verbsnail-mail
n. post office mail; regular mail as opposed to electronic mail. (Refers to the slowness of regular mail in comparison to electronic mail or faxes.) There are lots of color pictures in the article, so I will send you the original by snail-mail.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
at a snail's pace
Very slowly. The slowness of snails was pointed out about 200 b.c. by the Roman poet Plautus and the term “snail’s pace” in English goes back to about 1400. Relative to its size, however, a snail travels a considerable distance each day, using the undersurface of its muscular foot to propel itself.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer