In the twinkling of an eye

What's the meaning of the phrase 'In the twinkling of an eye'?

In an instant.

What's the origin of the phrase 'In the twinkling of an eye'?

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

It is also used in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:52 (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, 1596:

“I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.”

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Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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