Crossword Genius

Fast -- as a speeding bullet? (4,1,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

like a shot

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'fast' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'as a speeding bullet?' is the wordplay.
'as' becomes 'like' (I've seen this in other clues).
'a speeding bullet?' becomes 'ashot' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'like'+'ashot'='LIKE A SHOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for like a shot that I've seen before include "at the double?" , "Bally" , "sluggish?" , "to demonstrate without hesitation" , "Outright" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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