speed run

Meaning

A speed run (often spelled as one word: speedrun) is the act of completing a video game, or a specific level of a game, as fast as possible. Metaphorically, it can mean performing any real-life task at extreme speed.

Examples

• He holds the world record for the fastest speed run of Super Mario Bros.

  He holds the world record for the fastest speed run of Super Mario Bros.

• I'm going to speed run my chores so we can go to the movies earlier.

  I'm going to speed run my chores so we can go to the movies earlier.

• The streamer is attempting a blindfolded speed run of the game tonight.

  The streamer is attempting a blindfolded speed run of the game tonight.

• We had to speed run through the museum because it was closing in thirty minutes.

  We had to speed run through the museum because it was closing in thirty minutes.

• Her speed run of the final level was absolutely flawless.

  Her speed run of the final level was absolutely flawless.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I did a fast run of the game in under an hour.

  ✓ I did a speed run of the game in under an hour.

  While 'fast run' is grammatically correct, 'speed run' (or 'speedrun') is the established, specific term used in gaming and pop culture.

• ✗ She speeded run her exam because she was late.

  ✓ She speed ran her exam because she was late.

  When using 'speed run' as a compound verb in the past tense, inflect the verb 'run' to 'ran' (speed ran).

Related Expressions

Practice

• The gamer spent months practicing to beat the world record ___.

  💡 An attempt to finish a game as fast as possible.

  Show answer

  speed run

• If we ___ our grocery shopping, we can catch the next train.

  💡 To do something extremely quickly (used as a verb).

  Show answer

  speed run