глазом моргнуть

• НЕ УСПЕЛ (И) ГЛАЗОМ МОРГНУТЬ <МИГНУТЬ> coll

[these forms only; infin compl of не успел, often used in neg pfv fut, gener. 2nd pers sing не успеешь; usu. the 1st clause in a complex sent, foll. by a clause introduced by Conj "как" or "а"]

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⇒ (some person did not have time) to realize sth. or react to sth. (because it happened so quickly):

- X не успел глазом моргнуть{{}}≈ before X could bat an eye <an eyelid, an eyelash>;

- before X had time to blink;

- before X knew it. Cf. before X can <could> say Jack Robinson.

     ♦ "Не мой [ребенок]", - сказал Алтынник и облизнул губы. "Ах, не твой? - вскрикнула Людмила. - Вот тебе!" И Алтынник не успел глазом моргнуть, как сверток очутился в пыли у его ног (Войнович 5). "It's not mine [my child]," said Altinnik, licking his lips. "Ach, it's not yours?" screeched Ludmilla. "Here, you take him'" Before Altinnik could bat an eye, the bundle was in the dust at his feet (5a).