fast forward

To move through a recording quickly to reach a later part.

• Fast forward the video.
• I fast forwarded through the adverts.
• Can we fast forward to the next song?

How to use it: fast forward something (You can fast forward the video.); fast forward to something (I fast forwarded to the final scene.)

Similar words: skip ahead

Opposites: rewind

Common phrases: fast forward something, fast forward to something

To turn your attention to a later time, skipping what happened in between.

• Fast forward to next year.
• Let us fast forward ten years and imagine our lives.
• The story fast forwards to the day of their wedding.

How to use it: fast forward to something (Fast forward to next summer, when the house will be ready.); fast forward + time period (Fast forward five years, and she owns the company.)

Similar words: jump ahead, skip ahead

Common phrases: fast forward to something, fast forward ten years

To make a process happen faster or finish sooner.

• This tool can fast forward development.
• They fast forwarded the approval process to meet the deadline.
• Can extra staff fast forward our plans?

How to use it: fast forward something (The extra funding will fast forward the project.)

Similar words: speed up, accelerate

Opposites: slow down

Common phrases: fast forward something, fast forward the process

To move ahead or develop much faster than usual.

• Her career suddenly fast forwarded.
• The project fast forwarded after we hired more staff.
• Technology is fast forwarding toward a different future.

How to use it: fast forward toward something (The industry is fast forwarding toward a cleaner future.)

Similar words: advance rapidly, progress rapidly

Common phrases: fast forward rapidly, fast forward toward something

To seem to move through time very quickly.

• Time seemed to fast forward.
• The summer fast forwarded, and suddenly it was September.
• Life fast forwards when every day is busy.

Similar words: fly by

Common phrases: time fast forward, life fast forward

A recording feature that lets you move quickly to a later part.

• Use fast forward to skip this part.
• The recording looks funny in fast forward.
• This old player has no fast forward.

Similar words: fast playback

Opposites: rewind

Common phrases: use fast forward, in fast forward, fast forward mode

A button you press to move quickly to a later part of a recording.

• Press fast forward now.
• The fast forward on my remote is broken.
• I pressed fast forward instead of pause.

Similar words: fast forward button

Common phrases: press fast forward, the fast forward, fast forward button

A state in which things happen or develop much faster than usual.

• My life is in fast forward.
• Her career went into fast forward after the award.
• The whole industry seems to be on fast forward.

Similar words: rapid progress

Common phrases: in fast forward, on fast forward