What is the origin of the idiom "like a bat out of hell" and when to use it?

The idiom "like a bat out of hell" likely originated from the association of bats with darkness and their rapid, unpredictable flight patterns. Bats are known for their swift and agile flight, and the phrase conveys the idea of something or someone moving with extraordinary speed, urgency, or haste, as if escaping from a dangerous or chaotic situation. This idiomatic expression is used to describe something or someone moving extremely quickly, often with a sense of urgency or recklessness. It emphasizes the high speed and lack of restraint.