- Means very quickly or very soon; almost immediately.
Explanation
Origin
- The phrase emphasizes the lack of significant time passing – no time implies a negligible or very short duration.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- In a jiffy / In a sec / In a mo (UK)
- Lickety-split (Slightly dated but understood)
- Pronto (Borrowed from Spanish/Italian, common)
- Like greased lightning (Very fast)
- Real quick (AAVE influenced, common)
- In two shakes of a lamb's tail (Folksy, less common)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Quick as shit (Crude, emphasizes speed)
- In fuck-all time (UK/Aus slang, rare, means extremely quickly/easily)
Milder:
- Very soon
- Shortly
- Without delay
- Promptly (More formal)
Situational Appropriateness
- Generally informal to neutral.
- Perfectly fine in most everyday conversations and many work contexts unless extreme formality is required.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally clear, but non-native speakers should understand it means 'very quickly' rather than 'never' or 'zero time'. The context usually makes this obvious.
Examples
- Don't worry, dinner will be ready in no time.
- She learned the basics of the software in no time at all.
- Just wait here, I'll be back in no time.
Dialogue
Customer: How long will it take to fix my flat tire?
Mechanic: We're not too busy right now. We should have you back on the road in no time.
Customer: Oh, great! Thank you.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Just figured out the solution to that coding problem! Fixed it in no time. 😎 #developer #codingwin
- Instagram Story: (Boomerang video of packing a suitcase quickly) Caption: Packing for the weekend trip in no time! #travel #weekendgetaway
- DIY Post: Followed this tutorial and assembled the shelf in no time at all! #DIY #homeproject
Response Patterns
- Acceptance/Acknowledgement: Okay, great!, Sounds good., Thanks!
- Impressed reaction: Wow, that was fast!, Really?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone promises something in no time:
- The listener typically waits for the quick action/result.
- They might express thanks or surprise upon completion: Thanks, that was quick!
After describing something done in no time:
- The listener might ask how: How did you do it so fast?
Conversation Starter
- No. It's typically used within a statement about the speed of an action or event.
Intonation
- Often said reassuringly or to express impressiveness regarding speed.
- Stress commonly falls on NO, sometimes with added emphasis on ALL if used (in no time AT ALL). in NO time.
Generation Differences
- Common and understood across all age groups.
Regional Variations
- Widely used in all major English-speaking regions.