in a split second — extremely quickly; in an instant
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: extremely quickly; in an instant
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪn ə ˈsplɪt ˈsekənd/
Example Sentences
- My cat went from sleeping to sprinting in a split second when it heard the can opener.
- The magician made the rabbit disappear in a split second.
- In a split second, I realized I had sent the embarrassing text to my boss instead of my friend.
in a split second
ADVERB[/ɪn ə ˈsplɪt ˈsekənd/]
extremely quickly; in an instant
The goalkeeper caught the ball in a split second before it crossed the line.
In a split second, the hit made the ball split!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This idiomatic phrase emerged in early 20th-century English, combining 'split' (referring to a fractional or divided moment) with 'second' (a unit of time). It expresses the notion of an extremely brief instant, considerably shorter than a single second.
Breakdown
split (a fractional or divided portion of time) + second (a unit of time equal to 1/60 of a minute), forming a compound phrase that emphasizes brevity through the image of time being fractured into its smallest measurable component.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat went from sleeping to sprinting in a split second when it heard the can opener.”
“The magician made the rabbit disappear in a split second.”
“In a split second, I realized I had sent the embarrassing text to my boss instead of my friend.”
“The goalkeeper saved the penalty kick in a split second.”
📚Related Words
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