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Definitions

before you know it

ADVERB
presently
Synonyms
STRONGEST
immediately soon
STRONG
shortly
WEAK
anon before long by and by directly down the line down the pike down the road in a minute in a moment in a short time now nowadays pretty soon today without delay
Antonyms
STRONGEST
later never
WEAK
eventually

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It takes time to then get players out, get players in and then before you know it, that manager doesn't get the results and then they're gone and you're back to square one," said Rooney.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

"So before you know it, I've run out of the door."

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2024

“Because before you know it, it’ll be winter, and we’ll want to welcome visitors.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

Then, before you know it, I can have a conversation with you now.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2024

“That time’s going to fly by before you know it, so go on and enjoy your day, and each other.”

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles