fast lane

[ fast leyn ]

noun

1. Also called ex·press lane [ik-, spres, leyn]. the lane of a multilane roadway that is used by fast-moving vehicles, as when passing slower traffic.
2. Informal. any scene, activity, or pursuit that is exciting, high-pressured, competitive, swift-moving, and sometimes dissipated or dangerous:

   Alcoholism and stress are often the price for living life in the fast lane.

fast lane

noun

1. the outside lane on a motorway or dual carriageway for vehicles overtaking or travelling at high speed
2. informal.
   the quickest but most competitive route to success

Word History and Origins

Origin of fast lane¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Idioms and Phrases

Also, life in the fast lane . A lifestyle that involves free spending and self-indulgence, and sometimes also dissipation and danger. For example, They're finding that life in the fast lane can be very stressful . This term alludes to the highway express lane used by faster vehicles to pass slower ones. [ Colloquial ; c. 1970] Also see fast track .

Example Sentences

There was a highway nearby and Scariot was nervous Pickles might zip into the fast lane and get hit by a car.

From Los Angeles Times

If they use that power to favor their own content or content providers that pay them for a fast lane, it’s consumers who suffer.

From Los Angeles Times

Defense attorneys have indicated they plan to question how clearly Henley remembers his dealings with Sanders and the lyric sheets at a time when the rock star was living life in the fast lane himself.

From Seattle Times

The non-jury trial could offer a peek into the band’s creative process and life in the fast lane of ’70s stardom.

From Seattle Times

And by joining Orange County, Zubak, whose signing was announced on Christmas Day, wasn’t taking an offramp on that path, he was pulling into the fast lane.

From Los Angeles Times