Bat Out of Hell
March 10, 2008 – 12:16 pm
“I drove down the road like a bat out of hell.”
“The car came around the corner like a bat out of hell and nearly ran us over.”
“When the police showed up, he took off like a bat out of hell.”
“The cop ran through the airport like a bat out of hell when the explosion went off.”
The phrase “like a bat (蝙蝠) out of hell” is a simile which means “very fast or in a rush, often with a reckless disregard for safety.” It does not mean simply “fast.” It would sound a little strange to say, “I’ve been working like a bat out of hell.” Instead, you normally see this phrase used when motion is implied; for example, describing a car speeding down the road, the way someone is driving, someone running or rushing someplace, etc.