also: かんはつ
expression
immediately; instantly; without a moment's delay
Abbreviation of the phrase 間髪を入れず (かんはつをいれず). Used adverbially to mean 'right away' or 'in the blink of an eye'. Often seen in written or formal contexts.
See also: 間髪を入れず (かんはつをいれず)
彼は質問に間髪を入れず答えた。
He answered the question without a moment's delay.
間髪を入れずに反論が返ってきた。
A rebuttal came back instantly.
Abbreviation of the idiomatic phrase 間髪を入れず, literally 'without putting a hair's breadth in between'. The kanji 間 (interval) and 髪 (hair) combine to suggest an extremely small gap.