bash: `digit-argument` to repeat characters

TLDR; <Meta-{digit}>{char} will repeat char digit times

<Meta-{digit}> runs the bash/readline digit-argument command which lets you specify a number for the next command you type. If the command doesn't accept an argument, like typing a single character of input, then bash/readline repeats the next command instead.

To quickly type 25 dashes use <Meta-2>5-:

• <Esc>25- (since <Esc> metafies next character)
• <Alt-2>5- (since <Meta> is usually mapped to <Alt>)