quick and fast

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used together to emphasize that something happens or moves at high speed, or is done without delay.

   Grammar: Often joined by 'and' for emphasis; you can also say just 'quick' or just 'fast'.

   Patterns

   • be quick and fast
   • quick and fast service
   • get something done quick and fast

   The new train is quick and fast, cutting the trip to under an hour.

   She wanted the repairs done quick and fast before the guests arrived.

   Their delivery is quick and fast, usually within a day.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to describe someone who moves or reacts with speed and energy.

   Grammar: Usually comes after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem' to describe a person or animal.

   Patterns

   • be quick and fast on your feet
   • quick and fast at doing something

   The young goalkeeper is quick and fast on his feet.

   He's quick and fast when it comes to answering emails.

Common combinations

quick and fast service

Customers love the quick and fast service at the corner cafe.

quick and fast on your feet

A good waiter has to be quick and fast on his feet.

quick and fast delivery

The store promises quick and fast delivery across the city.

get something done quick and fast

We need to get this report done quick and fast.

Synonyms and how they differ

quick

Use 'quick' alone for something that takes little time; it is the more common word in everyday speech.

fast

Use 'fast' alone mainly for speed of movement; it sounds more natural than 'quick' for vehicles and runners.

rapid

'Rapid' is more formal and often describes changes or processes rather than people.

Opposites

Word family

quickly adverb

in a quick way

fast adjective

moving or happening at high speed

quicken verb

to make or become faster

Commonly confused: quick and fast or quickly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “quick and fast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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