lightning

as quick as a flash/wink

if you do something as quick as a flash, you do it very quickly. Quick as a flash, he snatched the book and ran out of the room.

See also: flash, quick, wink

Lightning does not strike twice.

something that you say which means that a bad thing will not happen to the same person twice. I know the crash has scared you, but lightning doesn't strike twice.

See also: does, strike, twice

a lightning rod (American)

someone or something that takes all the blame for a situation, although other people or things are responsible too. In a harsh economic climate, raises for teachers have become a lightning rod for criticism. (often + for)

See also: rod

like greased lightning (old-fashioned)

if someone does something like greased lightning, they do it very quickly. I mentioned work and he was out of the room like greased lightning.

See also: grease, like