in the fast lane

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Prepositional phrase

in the fast lane

1. (idiomatic) In a lifestyle, employment position, or other set of circumstances where the rapid pace is exciting, frantic, or risky.
   • 2003 October 13, B. Krandrowitz, K. Springen, “Free At Last!”, in Newsweek:

     For baby-boomer parents, life without kids often feels like suddenly slamming on the brakes after years in the fast lane.

   • 2005 April 18, Claudia Wallis, “AIDS: A Growing Threat”, in Time:

     He readily admits to a life of promiscuity and a history of many liaisons with prostitutes. "I lived in the fast lane," he confesses.

Usage notes

• Often used in the expression life in the fast lane.

Translations

in a lifestyle, etc. with a rapid, exciting, frantic, or risky pace

• Finnish: lujaa (fi), ohituskaistalla, hurjastellen
• French: ≈vie de patachon (fr) f (a noun = life in the fast lane)