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Meaning & use

in record time

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ɪn ˈrekɔːd taɪm/
US/ɪn ˈrekərd taɪm/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Very quickly, faster than has ever been done before or faster than expected.

    Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase after a verb; it does not come before a noun.

    Patterns

    • finish something in record time
    • complete something in record time
    • sell out in record time
    • do something in record time

    She finished the marathon in record time, beating the previous champion by three minutes.

    The new phone sold out in record time, within just two hours of going on sale.

    He completed the report in record time and still had time to check it carefully.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    Used to say that something happens much sooner than people thought it would.

    Grammar: Often used with verbs like recover, heal, or learn to show surprising speed.

    Patterns

    • recover in record time
    • heal in record time
    • learn something in record time

    After the operation, he recovered in record time and was back at work within a week.

    The team learned the new software in record time, thanks to excellent training.

    The garden recovered from the frost in record time once the warm weather arrived.

Common combinations

finish in record time
The builders finished the bridge in record time.
complete in record time
She completed the project in record time.
sell out in record time
The concert tickets sold out in record time.
recover in record time
He recovered from the flu in record time.
in record time for
She ran the race in record time for her age group.

Synonyms and how they differ

in no time
Means very quickly, but does not suggest a new record; it just means without delay.
at lightning speed
Emphasizes extreme speed but is more informal and often used for physical movement.
rapidly
A simple adverb meaning quickly; it does not carry the idea of beating a previous best.

Opposites

slowlyat a snail's pace

Commonly confused: in record time or on record?

in record time vs on record

Means officially written down or known; 'in record time' is about speed, not official recording.

Practice

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