blink

be on the blink (informal)

if a machine is on the blink, it is not working as it should. I think the photocopier's on the blink.

before someone could blink

very quickly or suddenly. Before you could blink, he'd grabbed the purse and was halfway down the street.

See also: before, could

in the blink of an eye

extremely quickly. In the blink of an eye the handsome prince was transformed into an ugly frog.

See also: eye

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in the blink of an eye

extremely quickly. There was a huge "boom" and in the blink of an eye the buildings were gone.

See also: eye

on the blink

not operating well. The computers in the accounting department are always on the blink and the bills don't get paid on time.