in two shakes

Idioms  

1. Also, in two shakes of a lamb's tail Very quickly, very soon, as in I'll be with you in two shakes, or She'll be finished in two shakes of a lamb's tail. The longer idiom alludes to the friskiness of lambs; the shorter one may be an abbreviation of the longer one, or it may refer to the shaking of dice or any two quick movements. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

We’ll be off in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

From The Guardian • Sep. 1, 2018

Once they’re thin as heck, they cook in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

From Slate • Jul. 3, 2018

“I can answer your questions in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

"Come and sit down. Supper'll be cooked in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

“Keep walking down Broadway, boss,” Libby says, and then I hear her yell, “just a sec, Ma, I’ll bring you a glass of water in two shakes of a tail.”

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle