lickety-split en · ADV
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue. The forms lickety-cut and licketie are similarly attested; and forms with t are likely due to Scottish influence.
Meanings
-
(not-comparable) Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order.
I need tea right now, lickety-split.
For quotations using this term, see Citations:lickety.
At the sound of the starting gun, they were off and running lickety-split.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| lickedy-split | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (7)
es de seguida (Translations) · es al toque (Translations) · es seguidamente (Translations) · es en un periquete (Translations) · es en un pispás (Translations) · es enseguida (Translations) · es en un santiamén (Translations)