lickety-split
advEtymology First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue. The forms lickety-cut and licketie are similarly attested; and forms with t are likely due to Scottish influence.
1
Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order.
- At the sound of the starting gun, they were off and running lickety-split.
- I need tea right now, lickety-split.
1 more example
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:lickety.