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rattle through

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To finish something really fast without stopping much.

Literal meaning: To move through something making a rattling sound — like a train rattling through a station.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To complete a task or series of items very quickly, often too fast.

"She rattled through her presentation in ten minutes, leaving no time for questions."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To say or recite something quickly without pausing.

"The teacher rattled through the instructions so fast that half the class missed them."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To move quickly through a place, especially making noise.

"The old freight train rattled through the small town every night at midnight."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in British English. Often used slightly critically, suggesting the speaker thinks someone is going too fast. Frequently used for speeches, lists, tasks, or meetings.

Commonly used with

agenda list speech exercises questions meeting

Forms

Base
rattle through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rattles through
he/she/it
Past simple
rattled through
yesterday
Past participle
rattled through
have + pp
-ing form
rattling through
continuous

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Synonyms

rush through speed through zip through blast through race through hurry through

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