British, informal

very quickly.

He works like the clappers - he'll have it finished in no time!

They ran like the clappers when the policeman came round the corner.

• rush of blood
• rush of blood to the head
• rustle up
• at first hand
• at first sight
• at full pelt
• at full steam
• at full stretch
• at full throttle
• at full tilt
• at hand
• at heart
• at heels
• a thick skin
• a thing of the past
• a thing or two
• a think-tank
• a thin line
• a thin skin
• a third wheel
• at home
• a thorn in someone's side
• a thorn in something's side
• a three-ring circus
• a tight-arse