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at breakneck speed — extremely fast, often in a way that seems dangerous or reckless

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: extremely fast, often in a way that seems dangerous or reckless

Pronunciation (IPA): /ət ˈbreɪknɛk spiːd/

Example Sentences

  • My little brother finished his homework at breakneck speed just to play video games sooner.
  • The startup's user base grew at breakneck speed, doubling every month.
  • He ate the spicy noodles at breakneck speed and immediately regretted it.

at breakneck speed

ADVERB

[/ət ˈbreɪknɛk spiːd/]

extremely fast, often in a way that seems dangerous or reckless

The messenger galloped at breakneck speed to deliver the king's urgent decree.
💡 Concept

The messenger galloped at breakneck speed to deliver the king's urgent decree.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ət ˈbreɪknɛk spiːd/
🇬🇧 UK/ət ˈbreɪknɛk spiːd/

🌳Etymology

Rootbreak + neck

Origin

From 'break' + 'neck', originally describing dangerously steep terrain that could literally break one's neck; later extended metaphorically to describe alarmingly fast speed.

Breakdown

break (to fracture) + neck (body part) → breakneck (adj, dangerously fast/steep) + speed (noun)

🎵Rhyme

neck
check
wreck

🔗Collocations

drive at breakneck speed
run at breakneck speed
grow at breakneck speed
move at breakneck speed
develop at breakneck speed
work at breakneck speed
at a truly breakneck speed

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My little brother finished his homework at breakneck speed just to play video games sooner.”

“The startup's user base grew at breakneck speed, doubling every month.”

😄 Fun example

“He ate the spicy noodles at breakneck speed and immediately regretted it.”

“The construction crew finished the building at breakneck speed to meet the deadline.”

😄 Fun example

“She typed her essay at breakneck speed the night before it was due, fueled by pure panic.”

📚Related Words

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