New York minute

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a very short time.

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New York minute British  

noun

1. informal a very short period of time; instant

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Etymology

Origin of New York minute

C20: from the supposedly fast pace of life in New York

Example Sentences

When corporate raiders took notice of how much revenue medicine generated, it took them a New York minute to invade the marketplace.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

And then suddenly, leads, momentum and a promising postseason vanished in the hockey equivalent of a New York minute.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2022

Open fans, who will sour on a player in a New York minute, made their feelings known with boos that could be heard over the deafening rain.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2021

We took a longish New York minute to speak with Serhant, who recently bought a $7.6-million Brooklyn brownstone; he’ll move in once renovations are completed, joined by wife Emilia and infant daughter Zena.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2019

A New York minute, though not a scientific term, is faster than minutes elsewhere.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2015