like the clappers

like the clappers

Extremely quickly or vigorously. Primarily heard in UK. If we go like the clappers, we should be able to finish before the deadline. Customers ran like the clappers into the store to snatch up as many bargains as they could carry.
See also: like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like the clappers

BRITISH, INFORMAL
If someone or something moves or does something like the clappers, they do it very quickly. Once released, the horse went like the clappers. Kate must have driven like the clappers to have got home so quickly. Note: The clapper of a bell is the part inside it which strikes it to make it ring.
See also: like
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

like the clappers

very fast or very hard. British informal
Clappers may refer to the striking part of a bell, or it may refer to a device in a mill for striking or shaking the hopper in order to make the grain move down to the millstones. The phrase like the clappers developed as mid 20th-century RAF slang, and is sometimes found in the form like the clappers of hell .
1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! Why should a hearse be going like the clappers through the streets of Glasgow at this time of night?
See also: like
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

like the ˈclappers

(British English, informal) very fast: We had to drive like the clappers to get there on time.
See also: like
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • like billyo
  • like billy-o
  • like billy-o(h)
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • mutton
References in classic literature
"Your tongue goes like the clapper of a mill-wheel.
The White Company
BY PETER LAYTON NORWICH will be going like the clappers to beat relegation rivals West Brom in the big six pointer at Carrow Road today.
CLAP-HAPPY CANARIES SET TO RAISE ROOF
She reddened up like a gammon steak and ran like the clappers out the door, asked to wash her hands behind the bar, where she was when Al came up and ordered a drink.
She ran like the clappers out the door to the pub next door and ordered a large dram.
Pal didn't see funny side of toilet humour but comic did
"Reel Buddy likes to come off a strong pace, so I hope they go like the clappers."
British challengers: Hannon hoping Reel Buddy can finally silence the critics
They're probably the best traditional jazz band around and swing like the clappers. A perfect antidote to the obligatory last minute toiletry purchases.
Jazz