in the blink of an eye

phrase

: in an instant

Examples of in the blink of an eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Just seconds later, in a separate incident, the Brazilian F50 was about to go into a standard jibe maneuver (turning the boat through the wind to change direction) but disintegrated in the blink of an eye. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Once cut or mashed, avocados will turn blackish-brown in the blink of an eye. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the blink of an eye was in 1876

Rhymes for in the blink of an eye

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Browse Nearby Words

in the black
in the blink of an eye
in the bud
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the blink of an eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20blink%20of%20an%20eye. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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