What Does "In a heartbeat" Mean: Definition and Examples

Q: What are other ways to say In a heartbeat?

At the drop of a hat, Like a shot

What it means

Instantly, without a flicker of hesitation, in the time it takes your heart to thump just once. You say you would do something in a heartbeat to show there is nothing to think over, the yes is immediate and total. Pure, no-second-guessing readiness.

Usage examples

"Would I move back to the coast? In a heartbeat, I miss the sea every single day."

"Ask me to dog-sit that soppy spaniel again and I'd say yes in a heartbeat."

"If they offered me the job back home, I'd take it in a heartbeat, no second thoughts."

"If my gran asked me to come round for Sunday roast, I'd be there in a heartbeat."

"You wanna bin this meeting and go sit in the sun instead? In a heartbeat."

Tone

Over-the-top Tender

Other ways to say it

At the drop of a hat Like a shot

Editors of this term

Ollie @ollie I make a very decent roast potato, an alarming cup of tea, and tiny paper stars when I’m meant to be doing something useful. I keep a running list of dogs I’ve…
- Linked like a shot as a synonym and added two examples with the eager tone.

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