fast

be as [fast/hot/thin etc.] as all get out (American & Australian, informal)

to be extremely fast, hot, thin etc.. He's a terrific runner - as fast as all get out.

See also: all, hot, thin

fast and furious

if an activity is fast and furious, it is done quickly and with a lot of energy. The first half of the game was fast and furious with both teams scoring three goals each.

a fast talker (American & Australian, informal)

someone who can talk in a clever way in order to persuade people to do or believe something, often something that is not honest or not true. Don't trust him Sal, he's a fast talker who's always out for his own good.

a fast track

a very quick way of achieving something or dealing with something. Management training offers a fast track to the top of the company. (often + to) The government has announced that the reforms will be put on the fast track. (= dealt with very quickly)

See also: track

fast-track

a fast track - a very quick way of achieving something or dealing with something. We are introducing a fast-track procedure for dealing with applications. (always before noun)

life in the fast lane

a way of living which is full of excitement and activity and often danger. His was a life in the fast lane - parties, drugs, and a constant stream of glamorous women.

See also: lane, life

make a fast/quick buck (American & Australian, informal)

to earn money quickly and often in a way that is not honest. Times are hard - you have to make a fast buck wherever and however you can.

See also: buck, quick

no hard and fast rules

if there are no hard and fast rules, there are no clear rules which you must obey. There are no hard and fast rules about how much weight you can safely gain in pregnancy.

See also: hard, rule

play fast and loose with something/someone

to treat something or someone without enough care. Like many film-makers, he plays fast and loose with the facts to tell his own version of the story.

See also: loose, play

pull a fast one (informal)

to successfully deceive someone. I paid him for six bottles of champagne, but he pulled a fast one on me and gave me six bottles of cheap wine. (often + on)

See also: pull

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fast and furious

quickly and with excitement and energy. Changes came fast and furious in the early days of the program.

in the fast lane

doing things that will lead to success. Their purchase of the company put them in the fast lane of the personal computer industry.

Usage notes: often used with put, as in the example

on the fast track

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of fast lane (= a marked path for vehicles traveling faster)

See also: lane

life in the fast lane

an exciting, active style of living that usually involves great wealth. When Ashmead decided that life in the fast lane wasn't much fun anymore, he turned his attention to another kind of business.

in the fast lane

on the fast track

Etymology: based on the fast lane of a highway, where cars drive faster than other cars on the road

See also: lane, life

on the fast track

advancing quickly and certainly. The principal made sure these kids got on a fast track toward graduation and college.

life in the fast lane

in the fast lane

Etymology: based on a fast track in horse racing (= a dry, smooth surface that is easy to run on)

See also: track

play fast and loose with something

to treat something without enough care or attention. The film is very entertaining even though it plays fast and loose with the historical facts.

See also: loose, play

pull a fast one (on someone)

to deceive or trick someone. Most people would never suspect that you'd even think of pulling a fast one on them.

See also: pull