1light·ning 
/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ noun
/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ noun [noncount] : the flashes of light that are produced in the sky during a storm
▪ a bolt of lightning = a lightning bolt ▪ a flash of lightning ▪ The tree was hit/struck by lightning. = The tree was hit by a lightning strike. — compare thunder; see also heat lightning
▪ a bolt of lightning = a lightning bolt ▪ a flash of lightning ▪ The tree was hit/struck by lightning. = The tree was hit by a lightning strike. — compare thunder; see also heat lightning
catch/capture lightning in a bottle
chiefly US : to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely
▪ He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
▪ He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
lightning never strikes (the same place) twice
— used to say that a very unusual event is not likely to happen again to the same person or in the same place
like (greased) lightning
informal : very quickly
▪ The news traveled across the country like lightning. ▪ moving like greased lightning
▪ The news traveled across the country like lightning. ▪ moving like greased lightning
