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blink
blink-and-you-miss-it
(used as a modifier before a noun) Of such a brief duration or small size as to be easily missed. I was excited to be in the movie, but it was really just a blink-and-you-miss-it part.
blink of an eye
Very quickly; in a very short period of time. Usually used in the phrase "in the blink of an eye." When we got into that car accident, our lives changed in the blink of an eye. Watch the baby closely, she can get into something dangerous in the blink of an eye.
be on the blink
1. slang Of a machine, to be acting strangely or malfunctioning. Our washer is on the blink, so I'm on my way to the laundromat. Mom called the repairman because our TV is on the blink again.
2. slang Of a person, to be drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really on the blink!
blink at something
1. Lit. to open and close the eyelids quickly, one or more times. I blinked at the bright light and finally had to close my eyes. Don't blink at me while I am trying to take your picture.
2. Fig. to overlook something, such as a mistake. (As if one had blinked one's eyes rather than seeing the error.) I just can't blink at that kind of behavior. We can't blink at what evil you did.
blink one's tears back
Fig. to try to keep from crying. She blinked back her tears and went on. He blinked his tears back and endured the pain.
on the fritz
and on the blinknot operating; not operating correctly. This vacuum cleaner is on the fritz. Let's get it fixed. How long has it been on the blink?
in the blink of an eye
extremely quickly There was a huge "boom" and in the blink of an eye the buildings were gone.
on the blink
not operating well The computers in the accounting department are always on the blink and the bills don't get paid on time.
on the fritz
not working in the usual way, or not working at all
The washing machine is on the fritz. Usage notes: usually said of machines
before somebody could blink
very quickly or suddenly Before you could blink, he'd grabbed the purse and was halfway down the street.
be on the blink
(informal) if a machine is on the blink, it is not working as it should I think the photocopier's on the blink.
in the blink of an eye
extremely quickly In the blink of an eye the handsome prince was transformed into an ugly frog.
on the blink
Also, on the bum or fritz . Malfunctioning, out of order, broken, as in The TV is on the blink again, or You drive-our car's on the bum. The first of these slangy expressions dates from the late 1800s and possibly alludes to an electric light that flickers on and off ("blinks"); the second, from the same period, possibly is derived from bum in the sense of "a contemptible person"; the third, fritz, dating from about 1900, is of unknown origin.
on the fritz
on the blink
1. mod. out of order; ill. (see also
on the fritz.)
My refrigerator is on the blink again. 2. mod. alcohol intoxicated; on a drinking spree. They all went out and got on the blink.
on the fritz
1. mod. not functioning properly. My watch is on the fritz.
2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. She drank till she was totally on the fritz.
in the blink of an eye
Very quickly.
on the blink
Out of working order.
without blinking an eye
Without showing any reaction.