Faster than a speeding bullet
Meaning
To move or happen with extreme quickness and velocity.
Origin
Before 1940, if you wanted to describe something incredibly fast, you might say "quick as a flash." But then, the world was introduced to Superman, and with him, a new standard for speed. The iconic phrase, "Faster than a speeding bullet," was first cemented into public consciousness through the opening narration of the Superman radio show, which began airing in 1940, and later the hugely popular TV series. It wasn't just a descriptor; it was a declaration of superhuman ability, the ultimate benchmark against which all other speed would be measured, forever linking the Man of Steel to an unparalleled velocity.
Examples
- The new electric car accelerated faster than a speeding bullet, leaving all its competitors in the dust.
- He finished the complex puzzle faster than a speeding bullet, much to everyone's amazement.