Definition

1. Noun:

   • A fast gait of a horse or other quadruped, characterized by a two-beat stride where all four legs are off the ground simultaneously during each stride. It is the fastest natural gait.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To run or move at a gallop, using this fast, bounding gait. This applies primarily to horses but can be used metaphorically for other things or people moving very quickly.
   • To ride a horse at a gallop.
   • To progress, proceed, or be done at a very rapid pace.

3. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause (a horse or other animal) to gallop.
   • To transport or convey something at a galloping speed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The horse broke into a furious gallop.
  • They set off at a gallop across the field.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The horses galloped across the plain.
  • He galloped off to find help.
  • Time seems to gallop by when you're having fun.

• Verb (transitive):

  • She galloped her horse along the beach.
  • The messenger galloped the news to the next town.

Advanced Usage

• "at full gallop" / "at a gallop": Moving at the fastest possible speed of this gait.

  • The cavalry charged at full gallop.

• "gallop through something": To do, say, or read something very quickly and often superficially.

  • He galloped through his homework so he could go out to play.
  • The speaker galloped through the final points of his presentation.

Variants and Related Words

• Galloping (adjective):
  • Moving or progressing at a gallop.

    • a galloping horse
  • Developing or increasing very rapidly.

    • galloping inflation

Synonyms

• Noun: Canter, run, sprint, dash.
• Verb: Race, sprint, dash, bolt, tear, hurry, rush.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Gallop ahead: To make rapid progress, especially ahead of others.

  • Their research is galloping ahead of the competition.

• Gallop away/off: To depart quickly at a gallop.

  • The rider galloped off into the distance.

Related Idioms

• At a snail's gallop: An ironic or humorous phrase meaning very slowly (playing on the contradiction between "gallop" and "snail").

  • The paperwork is proceeding at a snail's gallop.

• The gallop of time: A metaphorical expression for time passing very quickly.

  • She was amazed by the gallop of time since her last visit.

Noun

1. a fast gait of a horse; a two-beat stride during which all four legs are off the ground simultaneously

Verb

1. cause to move at full gallop
   • Did you gallop the horse just now?
2. go at galloping speed
   • The horse was galloping along
3. ride at a galloping pace
   • He was galloping down the road