In the twinkling of an eye

Phrases, sayings and idioms at

The Phrase Finder

Phrases Thesaurus

Meanings and origins of phrases and sayings

Browse phrases beginning with:

[A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U,V][W][X,Y,Z]

In the twinkling of an eye

Meaning

In an instant.

Origin

This is recorded by Robert Manning of Brunne, in Handlyng synne, 1303: "Yn twynkelyng of an ye"

It is also used in the Bible, Corinthians 15:56 (King James Version):

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

It was later used by Shakespeare in The Merchant Of Venice: "I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye."

See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare.