quick time
mediuminformal
Definition
Meaning
A rapid or short period; the act of doing something quickly.
Idiomatically used to emphasize speed and efficiency in completing tasks, often in fixed phrases like 'in quick time'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often functions as an adverbial phrase when preceded by 'in', highlighting that an action was completed faster than expected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use 'in quick time' similarly, though slight variations in colloquial usage may occur.
Connotations
Implies efficiency, promptness, and often a positive assessment of speed.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but widely understood and used in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
do something in quick timeachieve in quick timeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in quick time”
- “make quick time of”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe fast project turnaround or efficient service delivery.
Academic
Rare; more typical in informal writing or speech than formal academic texts.
Everyday
Common in spoken English to express that something was done quickly.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts; prefers terms like 'rapidly' or 'efficiently'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- She completed the task in quick time, impressing her manager.
American English
- He finished the assignment in quick time, thanks to his efficiency.
adjective
British English
- The company offers a quick-time delivery option for urgent orders.
American English
- We provide a quick-time service to meet tight deadlines.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can finish my homework in quick time.
- The team completed the project in quick time despite the short notice.
- Her ability to resolve issues in quick time makes her a valuable employee.
- The researchers published their findings in quick time, accelerating the field's progress.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'quick' as meaning fast and 'time' as a period, so 'quick time' together means a fast period or doing something speedily.
Conceptual Metaphor
Time as a resource that can be expended quickly, emphasizing efficiency and control over duration.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation to 'быстрое время'; instead, use 'быстро' or 'в сжатые сроки' for natural expression.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting 'in' when using 'quick time' adverbially, e.g., saying 'He did it quick time' instead of 'He did it in quick time'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'in quick time'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a common idiomatic phrase used in informal and everyday English to indicate that something is done quickly.
Typically, no; 'quick time' is most naturally used in phrases like 'in quick time' to function as an adverbial modifier.
'Quick time' often appears in fixed expressions and can imply a specific, efficient timeframe, while 'quickly' is a more general adverb for speed.
Usage is similar in both British and American English, though it may be slightly more prevalent in British English, with no significant differences in meaning.