like a shot

English

Prepositional phrase

like a shot

1. (informal) suddenly; without delay or hesitation.
   • 1899, H. G. Wells, Mr. Brisher's Treasure:

     I went over the fence like a shot, and ran like one o'clock for the trap, cussing and swearing as I went.

See also

• off like a bride's nightie
• off like a prom dress
• on the double

Further reading

• “like a shot”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “like a shot”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “like a shot” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.