gallop (redirected from gallops)

at a snail's pace and at a snail's gallop

very 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.

See also: pace

break into a gallop

[for a horse] to begin to gallop; [for a horse] to speed up to a gallop. The pony broke into a gallop, racing to get home. Near the stables, the horse broke into a fast gallop.

See also: break

gallop through something 

1. Lit. [for a horse] to pass through something at a gallop. Her horse galloped through the garden and dumped her in the cabbages. A few horses galloped through the meadow.

2. Fig. to go through something quickly; to do or perform something rapidly and perhaps carelessly. Mike galloped through his song and left the stage in a hurry. Don't just gallop through your homework!

See also: through

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at a snail's pace

very slowly

Usage notes: A snail is a small animal with a shell that moves very slowly.

The roads were full of traffic and we were travelling at a snail's pace.

See also: pace

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at a snail's pace

very slowly The action moves at a snail's pace in this film, as if all the characters were asleep.

Etymology: from the fact that a snail (a small animal with a round shell) moves very slowly

See also: pace