There are a myriad of ways to describe the speed of lightning! Here are a few synonyms for the phrase "quick as lightning": rapid, swift, fleet, expeditious, nimble, hasty, accelerated, brisk, snappy, speedy, fast-paced, lightning-fast, accelerated, lightning-quick. When we use these expressions, we are typically trying to describe a very fast response or movement. Lightning is admired for its suddenness and speed, so it's not surprising that we would want to use its image as a metaphor for describing something that is fast and urgent. But remember, while lightning might be quick-don't get caught in a storm!