like a bat out of hell
Meaning: Extremely fast.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “When the alarm went off, he drove out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell.”
Category: Animals
Origin: Bats flee light, so one escaping the fires of hell would fly frantically. The phrase is recorded in the early 20th century, possibly from aviators' slang around the First World War, and was popularized again by Meat Loaf's 1977 album.
Equivalents in other languages
- Portuguese: Tirar o pai da forca — literally: To take your father off the gallows
- French: Sur les chapeaux de roues — literally: On the wheel hubcaps
- French: À tombeau ouvert — literally: With the tomb open
More idioms — Animals
- a snake-oil salesman — A swindler who sells fake remedies or worthless solutions.
- pipped at the post — To be beaten at the very last moment.
- a nest of vipers — A group of people who scheme against or betray each other.
- once bitten, twice shy — After a bad experience, one is much more cautious.
- give someone a leg up — To help someone make progress or get started.
- earn one's spurs — To prove one's ability and gain recognition.
More English idioms
- have a seat at the table — To be included in the discussions where decisions are made.
- find Mr. Right — To find the ideal romantic partner.
- all roads lead to Rome — There are many ways to reach the same goal.
- shut up shop — To close a business, either for the day or for good.
- it doesn't take a rocket scientist — Something is easy to understand; no special intelligence is needed.
- do a moonlight flit — To leave one's home secretly at night, usually to avoid paying rent or debts.
From our compliments & insults
- Eline sağlık — Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
- És uma joia — You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
- Sei un salame — You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.