lickety-split

[ lik-i-tee-split ]

adverb

, Informal.

1. at great speed; rapidly:

   to travel lickety-split.

lickety-split

/ ˈlɪkɪtɪˈsplɪt /

adverb

1. informal.
   very quickly; speedily

Word History and Origins

Origin of lickety-split¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; lickety, a fanciful extension of lick “to move quickly” + split, “fraction,” as in split second

Word History and Origins

Origin of lickety-split¹

C19: from lick + split

Example Sentences

Plenty of POTUS and first-lady aspirants failed to bounce back lickety-split.

From The Daily Beast

Why, when I saw you boys going lickety-split along the track, I was ready to curl up and quit.

From Project Gutenberg

He drives helter-skelter, lickety-split, and never takes care of his car at all.

From Project Gutenberg

They must have seed the carriage drivin' away, and thought for sure it had the gal in it, and they was after it, lickety-split.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, he got her out and started lickety-split up the main line, running wild and without orders.

From Project Gutenberg

I like them to go lickety split better than lickety cut, don't you?

From Project Gutenberg