# 快马加鞭

kuài mǎ jiā biān

Speed up an already energetic effort

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Add the whip to a fast horse

**Traditional Chinese:** 快馬加鞭

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Urge faster progress toward a goal.

Speed must not sacrifice safety or quality.

## Understanding the expression

The horse is already fast, yet another spur is added to increase momentum. The expression describes pushing an ongoing effort forward with greater speed. It often appears when a deadline approaches or an opportunity requires prompt action. The image praises urgency, but not every acceleration is beneficial. A task may need checks or recovery time. The best use links faster progress to a realistic plan instead of demanding limitless speed from already exhausted people.

## Examples

工程接近完工，大家快马加鞭。

### Traditional Chinese

工程接近完工，大家快馬加鞭。

gōng chéng jiē jìn wán gōng ， dà jiā kuài mǎ jiā biān 。

As construction neared completion, everyone stepped up the pace.

她快马加鞭地整理资料。

### Traditional Chinese

她快馬加鞭地整理資料。

tā kuài mǎ jiā biān dì zhěng lǐ zī liào 。

She accelerated the work of organizing the materials.

团队快马加鞭，赶在雨季前修桥。

### Traditional Chinese

團隊快馬加鞭，趕在雨季前修橋。

tuán duì kuài mǎ jiā biān ， gǎn zài yǔ jì qián xiū qiáo 。

The team worked faster to finish the bridge before the rainy season.

快马加鞭也不能省掉检查。

### Traditional Chinese

快馬加鞭也不能省掉檢查。

kuài mǎ jiā biān yě bù néng shěng diào jiǎn chá 。

Speeding up must not mean skipping checks.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BF%AB%E9%A6%AC%E5%8A%A0%E9%9E%AD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1001&webMd=1&la=0)

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