To go like the clappers
Meaning
To move or proceed at an extremely fast speed.
Origin
Imagine a grand church bell, its resonant voice filling the air. Deep inside, the 'clapper' — that heavy, metal tongue — slams against the bell's side, creating a magnificent sound. When a bell ringer wants to achieve a rapid, joyous peal, they pull the ropes with frantic energy, causing the clapper to swing back and forth with incredible, almost blurring speed, striking the bell repeatedly in quick succession. This vivid image of the clapper's relentless, high-velocity motion gave birth to the phrase, evoking a sense of powerful, uninhibited haste that's as clear and immediate as the sound of a rapidly rung bell.
Examples
- The fire engine sped down the street, going like the clappers to reach the emergency.
- If we want to catch that train, we're going to have to go like the clappers.