fast track

¹

noun

1. a racetrack dry and hard enough for optimum speed.
2. a railroad track for express trains.
3. Informal. a situation or course of action that is intensely pressured or competitive, especially one in which a person advances rapidly to a higher level in a business or profession:

   With two promotions in six months, he seems to have chosen the fast track.

fast-track

²

[ fast-trak, fahst- ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to advance or develop rapidly.

adjective

1. of or relating to the fast track.

fast-track

adjective

1. denoting the quickest or most direct route or system

   a fast-track procedure for libel claims

   fast-track executives

verb

1. tr to speed up the progress of (a project or person)

Other Words From

• fast-tracker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fast track¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on a / the fast track, Informal.
   1. advancing or being promoted more rapidly than usual, especially in business or other organizational positions:

      an executive on the fast track.

   2. expanding or being developed or handled rapidly and often innovatively: Compare fast lane.

      a company on the fast track in computer technology.

More idioms and phrases containing fast track

A situation involving high pressure, competition, and, especially, rapid success or advancement. For example, He was definitely on a fast track, becoming a partner after only five years in the firm , or This company was on the fast track in software development . This term alludes to a dry, hard horse track that enables horses to run at high speeds. [ Colloquial ; mid-1960s] Also see fast lane .

Example Sentences

The arrest marked the beginning of a troubling period for Majors, who had seemingly been on a fast track to significant Hollywood stardom.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are trying to fast track that learning. I feel this week there has been a big step forward in that regard."

From BBC

On 25 October, Mr Musk posted on X: “Massive numbers flown directly to swing states and put on the fast track to citizenship. Voter importation.”

From BBC

Even if that hasn’t always been easy for a receiver who once seemed on the NFL fast track.

From Los Angeles Times

While formally allied with Biden, she is on a fast track of individuation from him.

From Salon