diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 5b0a7276..705a2931 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ set_property(GLOBAL PROPERTY USE_FOLDERS ON)
 # define some folders
 set(CATCH_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
 set(SELF_TEST_DIR ${CATCH_DIR}/projects/SelfTest)
+set(BENCHMARK_DIR ${CATCH_DIR}/projects/Benchmark)
 set(HEADER_DIR ${CATCH_DIR}/include)
 
 if(USE_CPP11)
@@ -221,13 +222,20 @@ set(HEADERS
         )
 
 
+set(BENCH_SOURCES
+        ${BENCHMARK_DIR}/BenchMain.cpp
+        ${BENCHMARK_DIR}/StringificationBench.cpp
+        )
+        
 # Provide some groupings for IDEs
 SOURCE_GROUP("Tests" FILES ${TEST_SOURCES})
 SOURCE_GROUP("Surrogates" FILES ${IMPL_SOURCES})
+SOURCE_GROUP("Benchmarks" FILES ${BENCH_SOURCES})
 
 # configure the executable
 include_directories(${HEADER_DIR})
 add_executable(SelfTest ${TEST_SOURCES} ${IMPL_SOURCES} ${HEADERS})
+add_executable(Benchmark ${BENCH_SOURCES} ${HEADERS})
 
 # configure unit tests via CTest
 enable_testing()
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.h b/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.h
index 99b3a7c3..e2b979f8 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.h
+++ b/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.h
@@ -13,6 +13,27 @@
 
 namespace Catch {
 
+    struct STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison;
+
+    struct DecomposedExpression
+    {
+        virtual ~DecomposedExpression() {}
+        virtual bool isBinaryExpression() const {
+            return false;
+        }
+        virtual void reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const = 0;
+
+        // Only simple binary comparisons can be decomposed.
+        // If more complex check is required then wrap sub-expressions in parentheses.
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator + ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator - ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator * ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator / ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator % ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator && ( T const& );
+        template<typename T> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator || ( T const& );
+    };
+
     struct AssertionInfo
     {
         AssertionInfo() {}
@@ -29,11 +50,41 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     struct AssertionResultData
     {
-        AssertionResultData() : resultType( ResultWas::Unknown ) {}
+        AssertionResultData() : decomposedExpression( CATCH_NULL )
+                              , resultType( ResultWas::Unknown )
+                              , negated( false )
+                              , parenthesized( false ) {}
 
-        std::string reconstructedExpression;
+        void negate( bool parenthesize ) {
+            negated = !negated;
+            parenthesized = parenthesize;
+            if( resultType == ResultWas::Ok )
+                resultType = ResultWas::ExpressionFailed;
+            else if( resultType == ResultWas::ExpressionFailed )
+                resultType = ResultWas::Ok;
+        }
+
+        std::string const& reconstructExpression() const {
+            if( decomposedExpression != CATCH_NULL ) {
+                decomposedExpression->reconstructExpression( reconstructedExpression );
+                if( parenthesized ) {
+                    reconstructedExpression.insert( 0, 1, '(' );
+                    reconstructedExpression.append( 1, ')' );
+                }
+                if( negated ) {
+                    reconstructedExpression.insert( 0, 1, '!' );
+                }
+                decomposedExpression = CATCH_NULL;
+            }
+            return reconstructedExpression;
+        }
+
+        mutable DecomposedExpression const* decomposedExpression;
+        mutable std::string reconstructedExpression;
         std::string message;
         ResultWas::OfType resultType;
+        bool negated;
+        bool parenthesized;
     };
 
     class AssertionResult {
@@ -60,6 +111,8 @@ namespace Catch {
         std::string getMessage() const;
         SourceLineInfo getSourceInfo() const;
         std::string getTestMacroName() const;
+        void discardDecomposedExpression() const;
+        void expandDecomposedExpression() const;
 
     protected:
         AssertionInfo m_info;
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.hpp b/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.hpp
index bd59de9a..55fd8dd3 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_assertionresult.hpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ namespace Catch {
     }
 
     std::string AssertionResult::getExpandedExpression() const {
-        return m_resultData.reconstructedExpression;
+        return m_resultData.reconstructExpression();
     }
 
     std::string AssertionResult::getMessage() const {
@@ -86,6 +86,14 @@ namespace Catch {
         return m_info.macroName;
     }
 
+    void AssertionResult::discardDecomposedExpression() const {
+        m_resultData.decomposedExpression = CATCH_NULL;
+    }
+
+    void AssertionResult::expandDecomposedExpression() const {
+        m_resultData.reconstructExpression();
+    }
+
 } // end namespace Catch
 
 #endif // TWOBLUECUBES_CATCH_ASSERTIONRESULT_HPP_INCLUDED
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_capture.hpp b/include/internal/catch_capture.hpp
index 35a52008..eaf3074e 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_capture.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_capture.hpp
@@ -132,13 +132,7 @@
     do { \
         Catch::ResultBuilder __catchResult( macroName, CATCH_INTERNAL_LINEINFO, #arg ", " #matcher, resultDisposition ); \
         try { \
-            std::string matcherAsString = (matcher).toString(); \
-            __catchResult \
-                .setLhs( Catch::toString( arg ) ) \
-                .setRhs( matcherAsString == Catch::Detail::unprintableString ? #matcher : matcherAsString ) \
-                .setOp( "matches" ) \
-                .setResultType( (matcher).match( arg ) ); \
-            __catchResult.captureExpression(); \
+            __catchResult.captureMatch( arg, matcher, #matcher ); \
         } catch( ... ) { \
             __catchResult.useActiveException( resultDisposition | Catch::ResultDisposition::ContinueOnFailure ); \
         } \
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_commandline.hpp b/include/internal/catch_commandline.hpp
index adee52bb..da189676 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_commandline.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_commandline.hpp
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@ namespace Catch {
         std::string line;
         while( std::getline( f, line ) ) {
             line = trim(line);
-            if( !line.empty() && !startsWith( line, "#" ) ) {
-                if( !startsWith( line, "\"" ) )
+            if( !line.empty() && !startsWith( line, '#' ) ) {
+                if( !startsWith( line, '"' ) )
                     line = "\"" + line + "\"";
-                addTestOrTags( config, line + "," );
+                addTestOrTags( config, line + ',' );
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_common.h b/include/internal/catch_common.h
index 0104b539..8d1a86a0 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_common.h
+++ b/include/internal/catch_common.h
@@ -79,7 +79,10 @@ namespace Catch {
     }
 
     bool startsWith( std::string const& s, std::string const& prefix );
+    bool startsWith( std::string const& s, char prefix );
     bool endsWith( std::string const& s, std::string const& suffix );
+    bool endsWith( std::string const& s, char suffix );
+    bool contains( std::string const& s, std::string const& infix );
     bool contains( std::string const& s, std::string const& infix );
     void toLowerInPlace( std::string& s );
     std::string toLower( std::string const& s );
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_common.hpp b/include/internal/catch_common.hpp
index 7ad5b1ca..2af51a12 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_common.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_common.hpp
@@ -13,14 +13,23 @@
 namespace Catch {
 
     bool startsWith( std::string const& s, std::string const& prefix ) {
-        return s.size() >= prefix.size() && s.substr( 0, prefix.size() ) == prefix;
+        return s.size() >= prefix.size() && std::equal(prefix.begin(), prefix.end(), s.begin());
+    }
+    bool startsWith( std::string const& s, char prefix ) {
+        return !s.empty() && s[0] == prefix;
     }
     bool endsWith( std::string const& s, std::string const& suffix ) {
-        return s.size() >= suffix.size() && s.substr( s.size()-suffix.size(), suffix.size() ) == suffix;
+        return s.size() >= suffix.size() && std::equal(suffix.rbegin(), suffix.rend(), s.rbegin());
+    }
+    bool endsWith( std::string const& s, char suffix ) {
+        return !s.empty() && s[s.size()-1] == suffix;
     }
     bool contains( std::string const& s, std::string const& infix ) {
         return s.find( infix ) != std::string::npos;
     }
+    bool contains( std::string const& s, char infix ) {
+        return s.find(infix);
+    }
     char toLowerCh(char c) {
         return static_cast<char>( ::tolower( c ) );
     }
@@ -37,7 +46,7 @@ namespace Catch {
         std::string::size_type start = str.find_first_not_of( whitespaceChars );
         std::string::size_type end = str.find_last_not_of( whitespaceChars );
 
-        return start != std::string::npos ? str.substr( start, 1+end-start ) : "";
+        return start != std::string::npos ? str.substr( start, 1+end-start ) : std::string();
     }
 
     bool replaceInPlace( std::string& str, std::string const& replaceThis, std::string const& withThis ) {
@@ -95,9 +104,9 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     std::ostream& operator << ( std::ostream& os, SourceLineInfo const& info ) {
 #ifndef __GNUG__
-        os << info.file << "(" << info.line << ")";
+        os << info.file << '(' << info.line << ')';
 #else
-        os << info.file << ":" << info.line;
+        os << info.file << ':' << info.line;
 #endif
         return os;
     }
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_expression_lhs.hpp b/include/internal/catch_expression_lhs.hpp
index 51b803e5..9670d2a1 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_expression_lhs.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_expression_lhs.hpp
@@ -14,90 +14,155 @@
 
 namespace Catch {
 
-// Wraps the LHS of an expression and captures the operator and RHS (if any) -
-// wrapping them all in a ResultBuilder object
-template<typename T>
-class ExpressionLhs {
-    ExpressionLhs& operator = ( ExpressionLhs const& );
-#  ifdef CATCH_CONFIG_CPP11_GENERATED_METHODS
-    ExpressionLhs& operator = ( ExpressionLhs && ) = delete;
-#  endif
+template<typename LhsT, Internal::Operator Op, typename RhsT>
+class BinaryExpression;
 
+template<typename ArgT, typename MatcherT>
+class MatchExpression;
+
+// Wraps the LHS of an expression and overloads comparison operators
+// for also capturing those and RHS (if any)
+template<typename T>
+class ExpressionLhs : public DecomposedExpression {
 public:
-    ExpressionLhs( ResultBuilder& rb, T lhs ) : m_rb( rb ), m_lhs( lhs ) {}
-#  ifdef CATCH_CONFIG_CPP11_GENERATED_METHODS
-    ExpressionLhs( ExpressionLhs const& ) = default;
-    ExpressionLhs( ExpressionLhs && )     = default;
-#  endif
+    ExpressionLhs( ResultBuilder& rb, T lhs ) : m_rb( rb ), m_lhs( lhs ), m_truthy(false) {}
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator == ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsEqualTo, RhsT const&>
+    operator == ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator != ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsNotEqualTo, RhsT const&>
+    operator != ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsNotEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator < ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsLessThan, RhsT const&>
+    operator < ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsLessThan>( rhs );
     }
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator > ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsGreaterThan, RhsT const&>
+    operator > ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsGreaterThan>( rhs );
     }
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator <= ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsLessThanOrEqualTo, RhsT const&>
+    operator <= ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsLessThanOrEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
     template<typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& operator >= ( RhsT const& rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsGreaterThanOrEqualTo, RhsT const&>
+    operator >= ( RhsT const& rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsGreaterThanOrEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
-    ResultBuilder& operator == ( bool rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsEqualTo, bool> operator == ( bool rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
-    ResultBuilder& operator != ( bool rhs ) {
+    BinaryExpression<T, Internal::IsNotEqualTo, bool> operator != ( bool rhs ) const {
         return captureExpression<Internal::IsNotEqualTo>( rhs );
     }
 
     void endExpression() {
-        bool value = m_lhs ? true : false;
+        m_truthy = m_lhs ? true : false;
         m_rb
-            .setLhs( Catch::toString( value ) )
-            .setResultType( value )
-            .endExpression();
+            .setResultType( m_truthy )
+            .endExpression( *this );
     }
 
-    // Only simple binary expressions are allowed on the LHS.
-    // If more complex compositions are required then place the sub expression in parentheses
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator + ( RhsT const& );
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator - ( RhsT const& );
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator / ( RhsT const& );
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator * ( RhsT const& );
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator && ( RhsT const& );
-    template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator || ( RhsT const& );
+    virtual void reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const CATCH_OVERRIDE {
+        dest = Catch::toString( m_truthy );
+    }
 
 private:
     template<Internal::Operator Op, typename RhsT>
-    ResultBuilder& captureExpression( RhsT const& rhs ) {
-        return m_rb
-            .setResultType( Internal::compare<Op>( m_lhs, rhs ) )
-            .setLhs( Catch::toString( m_lhs ) )
-            .setRhs( Catch::toString( rhs ) )
-            .setOp( Internal::OperatorTraits<Op>::getName() );
+    BinaryExpression<T, Op, RhsT&> captureExpression( RhsT& rhs ) const {
+        return BinaryExpression<T, Op, RhsT&>( m_rb, m_lhs, rhs );
+    }
+
+    template<Internal::Operator Op>
+    BinaryExpression<T, Op, bool> captureExpression( bool rhs ) const {
+        return BinaryExpression<T, Op, bool>( m_rb, m_lhs, rhs );
     }
 
 private:
     ResultBuilder& m_rb;
     T m_lhs;
+    bool m_truthy;
+};
+
+template<typename LhsT, Internal::Operator Op, typename RhsT>
+class BinaryExpression : public DecomposedExpression {
+public:
+    BinaryExpression( ResultBuilder& rb, LhsT lhs, RhsT rhs )
+        : m_rb( rb ), m_lhs( lhs ), m_rhs( rhs ) {}
+
+    void endExpression() const {
+        m_rb
+            .setResultType( Internal::compare<Op>( m_lhs, m_rhs ) )
+            .endExpression( *this );
+    }
+
+    virtual bool isBinaryExpression() const CATCH_OVERRIDE {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    virtual void reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const CATCH_OVERRIDE {
+        std::string lhs = Catch::toString( m_lhs );
+        std::string rhs = Catch::toString( m_rhs );
+        char delim = lhs.size() + rhs.size() < 40 &&
+                     lhs.find('\n') == std::string::npos &&
+                     rhs.find('\n') == std::string::npos ? ' ' : '\n';
+        dest.reserve( 7 + lhs.size() + rhs.size() );
+                   // 2 for spaces around operator
+                   // 2 for operator
+                   // 2 for parentheses (conditionally added later)
+                   // 1 for negation (conditionally added later)
+        dest = lhs;
+        dest += delim;
+        dest += Internal::OperatorTraits<Op>::getName();
+        dest += delim;
+        dest += rhs;
+    }
+
+private:
+    ResultBuilder& m_rb;
+    LhsT m_lhs;
+    RhsT m_rhs;
+};
+
+template<typename ArgT, typename MatcherT>
+class MatchExpression : public DecomposedExpression {
+public:
+    MatchExpression( ArgT arg, MatcherT matcher, char const* matcherString )
+        : m_arg( arg ), m_matcher( matcher ), m_matcherString( matcherString ) {}
+
+    virtual bool isBinaryExpression() const CATCH_OVERRIDE {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    virtual void reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const CATCH_OVERRIDE {
+        std::string matcherAsString = m_matcher.toString();
+        dest = Catch::toString( m_arg );
+        dest += ' ';
+        if( matcherAsString == Detail::unprintableString )
+            dest += m_matcherString;
+        else
+            dest += matcherAsString;
+    }
+
+private:
+    ArgT m_arg;
+    MatcherT m_matcher;
+    char const* m_matcherString;
 };
 
 } // end namespace Catch
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_list.hpp b/include/internal/catch_list.hpp
index f83827ee..72f38bba 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_list.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_list.hpp
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ namespace Catch {
         }
 
         if( !config.testSpec().hasFilters() )
-            Catch::cout() << pluralise( matchedTests, "test case" ) << "\n" << std::endl;
+            Catch::cout() << pluralise( matchedTests, "test case" ) << '\n' << std::endl;
         else
-            Catch::cout() << pluralise( matchedTests, "matching test case" ) << "\n" << std::endl;
+            Catch::cout() << pluralise( matchedTests, "matching test case" ) << '\n' << std::endl;
         return matchedTests;
     }
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ namespace Catch {
                 ++it ) {
             matchedTests++;
             TestCaseInfo const& testCaseInfo = it->getTestCaseInfo();
-            if( startsWith( testCaseInfo.name, "#" ) )
+            if( startsWith( testCaseInfo.name, '#' ) )
                Catch::cout() << "\"" << testCaseInfo.name << "\"" << std::endl;
             else
                Catch::cout() << testCaseInfo.name << std::endl;
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_matchers.hpp b/include/internal/catch_matchers.hpp
index ab8fec15..61234c45 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_matchers.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_matchers.hpp
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ namespace Matchers {
             {
                 return m_caseSensitivity == CaseSensitive::No
                     ? " (case insensitive)"
-                    : "";
+                    : std::string();
             }
             CaseSensitive::Choice m_caseSensitivity;
             std::string m_str;
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_reporter_registrars.hpp b/include/internal/catch_reporter_registrars.hpp
index 7bd7b610..4d5557e1 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_reporter_registrars.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_reporter_registrars.hpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ namespace Catch {
                 return new T( config );
             }
             virtual std::string getDescription() const {
-                return "";
+                return std::string();
             }
         };
 
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_result_builder.h b/include/internal/catch_result_builder.h
index 89002660..dfdffd5f 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_result_builder.h
+++ b/include/internal/catch_result_builder.h
@@ -19,22 +19,20 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     template<typename T> class ExpressionLhs;
 
-    struct STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison;
-
     struct CopyableStream {
         CopyableStream() {}
         CopyableStream( CopyableStream const& other ) {
             oss << other.oss.str();
         }
         CopyableStream& operator=( CopyableStream const& other ) {
-            oss.str("");
+            oss.str(std::string());
             oss << other.oss.str();
             return *this;
         }
         std::ostringstream oss;
     };
 
-    class ResultBuilder {
+    class ResultBuilder : public DecomposedExpression {
     public:
         ResultBuilder(  char const* macroName,
                         SourceLineInfo const& lineInfo,
@@ -52,19 +50,15 @@ namespace Catch {
             return *this;
         }
 
-        template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator && ( RhsT const& );
-        template<typename RhsT> STATIC_ASSERT_Expression_Too_Complex_Please_Rewrite_As_Binary_Comparison& operator || ( RhsT const& );
-
         ResultBuilder& setResultType( ResultWas::OfType result );
         ResultBuilder& setResultType( bool result );
-        ResultBuilder& setLhs( std::string const& lhs );
-        ResultBuilder& setRhs( std::string const& rhs );
-        ResultBuilder& setOp( std::string const& op );
 
-        void endExpression();
+        void endExpression( DecomposedExpression const& expr );
+
+        virtual void reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const CATCH_OVERRIDE;
 
-        std::string reconstructExpression() const;
         AssertionResult build() const;
+        AssertionResult build( DecomposedExpression const& expr ) const;
 
         void useActiveException( ResultDisposition::Flags resultDisposition = ResultDisposition::Normal );
         void captureResult( ResultWas::OfType resultType );
@@ -76,14 +70,12 @@ namespace Catch {
         bool shouldDebugBreak() const;
         bool allowThrows() const;
 
+        template<typename ArgT, typename MatcherT>
+        void captureMatch( ArgT const& arg, MatcherT const& matcher, char const* matcherString );
+
     private:
         AssertionInfo m_assertionInfo;
         AssertionResultData m_data;
-        struct ExprComponents {
-            ExprComponents() : testFalse( false ) {}
-            bool testFalse;
-            std::string lhs, rhs, op;
-        } m_exprComponents;
         CopyableStream m_stream;
 
         bool m_shouldDebugBreak;
@@ -106,6 +98,14 @@ namespace Catch {
         return ExpressionLhs<bool>( *this, value );
     }
 
+    template<typename ArgT, typename MatcherT>
+    inline void ResultBuilder::captureMatch( ArgT const& arg, MatcherT const& matcher,
+                                             char const* matcherString ) {
+        MatchExpression<ArgT const&, MatcherT const&> expr( arg, matcher, matcherString );
+        setResultType( matcher.match( arg ) );
+        endExpression( expr );
+    }
+
 } // namespace Catch
 
 #endif // TWOBLUECUBES_CATCH_RESULT_BUILDER_H_INCLUDED
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_result_builder.hpp b/include/internal/catch_result_builder.hpp
index bf2f8575..7bb2cdc2 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_result_builder.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_result_builder.hpp
@@ -41,22 +41,10 @@ namespace Catch {
         m_data.resultType = result ? ResultWas::Ok : ResultWas::ExpressionFailed;
         return *this;
     }
-    ResultBuilder& ResultBuilder::setLhs( std::string const& lhs ) {
-        m_exprComponents.lhs = lhs;
-        return *this;
-    }
-    ResultBuilder& ResultBuilder::setRhs( std::string const& rhs ) {
-        m_exprComponents.rhs = rhs;
-        return *this;
-    }
-    ResultBuilder& ResultBuilder::setOp( std::string const& op ) {
-        m_exprComponents.op = op;
-        return *this;
-    }
 
-    void ResultBuilder::endExpression() {
-        m_exprComponents.testFalse = isFalseTest( m_assertionInfo.resultDisposition );
-        captureExpression();
+    void ResultBuilder::endExpression( DecomposedExpression const& expr ) {
+        AssertionResult result = build( expr );
+        handleResult( result );
     }
 
     void ResultBuilder::useActiveException( ResultDisposition::Flags resultDisposition ) {
@@ -69,6 +57,7 @@ namespace Catch {
         setResultType( resultType );
         captureExpression();
     }
+
     void ResultBuilder::captureExpectedException( std::string const& expectedMessage ) {
         if( expectedMessage.empty() )
             captureExpectedException( Matchers::Impl::Generic::AllOf<std::string>() );
@@ -78,7 +67,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     void ResultBuilder::captureExpectedException( Matchers::Impl::Matcher<std::string> const& matcher ) {
 
-        assert( m_exprComponents.testFalse == false );
+        assert( !isFalseTest( m_assertionInfo.resultDisposition ) );
         AssertionResultData data = m_data;
         data.resultType = ResultWas::Ok;
         data.reconstructedExpression = m_assertionInfo.capturedExpression;
@@ -96,6 +85,7 @@ namespace Catch {
         AssertionResult result = build();
         handleResult( result );
     }
+
     void ResultBuilder::handleResult( AssertionResult const& result )
     {
         getResultCapture().assertionEnded( result );
@@ -107,6 +97,7 @@ namespace Catch {
                 m_shouldThrow = true;
         }
     }
+
     void ResultBuilder::react() {
         if( m_shouldThrow )
             throw Catch::TestFailureException();
@@ -117,43 +108,32 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     AssertionResult ResultBuilder::build() const
     {
-        assert( m_data.resultType != ResultWas::Unknown );
+        return build( *this );
+    }
 
+    // CAVEAT: The returned AssertionResult stores a pointer to the argument expr,
+    //         a temporary DecomposedExpression, which in turn holds references to
+    //         operands, possibly temporary as well.
+    //         It should immediately be passed to handleResult; if the expression
+    //         needs to be reported, its string expansion must be composed before
+    //         the temporaries are destroyed.
+    AssertionResult ResultBuilder::build( DecomposedExpression const& expr ) const
+    {
+        assert( m_data.resultType != ResultWas::Unknown );
         AssertionResultData data = m_data;
 
-        // Flip bool results if testFalse is set
-        if( m_exprComponents.testFalse ) {
-            if( data.resultType == ResultWas::Ok )
-                data.resultType = ResultWas::ExpressionFailed;
-            else if( data.resultType == ResultWas::ExpressionFailed )
-                data.resultType = ResultWas::Ok;
+        // Flip bool results if FalseTest flag is set
+        if( isFalseTest( m_assertionInfo.resultDisposition ) ) {
+            data.negate( expr.isBinaryExpression() );
         }
 
         data.message = m_stream.oss.str();
-        data.reconstructedExpression = reconstructExpression();
-        if( m_exprComponents.testFalse ) {
-            if( m_exprComponents.op == "" )
-                data.reconstructedExpression = "!" + data.reconstructedExpression;
-            else
-                data.reconstructedExpression = "!(" + data.reconstructedExpression + ")";
-        }
+        data.decomposedExpression = &expr; // for lazy reconstruction
         return AssertionResult( m_assertionInfo, data );
     }
-    std::string ResultBuilder::reconstructExpression() const {
-        if( m_exprComponents.op == "" )
-            return m_exprComponents.lhs.empty() ? m_assertionInfo.capturedExpression : m_exprComponents.lhs;
-        else if( m_exprComponents.op == "matches" )
-            return m_exprComponents.lhs + " " + m_exprComponents.rhs;
-        else if( m_exprComponents.op != "!" ) {
-            if( m_exprComponents.lhs.size() + m_exprComponents.rhs.size() < 40 &&
-                m_exprComponents.lhs.find("\n") == std::string::npos &&
-                m_exprComponents.rhs.find("\n") == std::string::npos )
-                return m_exprComponents.lhs + " " + m_exprComponents.op + " " + m_exprComponents.rhs;
-            else
-                return m_exprComponents.lhs + "\n" + m_exprComponents.op + "\n" + m_exprComponents.rhs;
-        }
-        else
-            return "{can't expand - use " + m_assertionInfo.macroName + "_FALSE( " + m_assertionInfo.capturedExpression.substr(1) + " ) instead of " + m_assertionInfo.macroName + "( " + m_assertionInfo.capturedExpression + " ) for better diagnostics}";
+
+    void ResultBuilder::reconstructExpression( std::string& dest ) const {
+        dest = m_assertionInfo.capturedExpression;
     }
 
 } // end namespace Catch
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_run_context.hpp b/include/internal/catch_run_context.hpp
index e458afca..bf2bdb7d 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_run_context.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_run_context.hpp
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ namespace Catch {
                 m_messages.clear();
 
             // Reset working state
-            m_lastAssertionInfo = AssertionInfo( "", m_lastAssertionInfo.lineInfo, "{Unknown expression after the reported line}" , m_lastAssertionInfo.resultDisposition );
+            m_lastAssertionInfo = AssertionInfo( std::string(), m_lastAssertionInfo.lineInfo, "{Unknown expression after the reported line}" , m_lastAssertionInfo.resultDisposition );
             m_lastResult = result;
         }
 
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ namespace Catch {
         virtual std::string getCurrentTestName() const {
             return m_activeTestCase
                 ? m_activeTestCase->getTestCaseInfo().name
-                : "";
+                : std::string();
         }
 
         virtual const AssertionResult* getLastResult() const {
@@ -245,11 +245,11 @@ namespace Catch {
             deltaTotals.testCases.failed = 1;
             m_reporter->testCaseEnded( TestCaseStats(   testInfo,
                                                         deltaTotals,
-                                                        "",
-                                                        "",
+                                                        std::string(),
+                                                        std::string(),
                                                         false ) );
             m_totals.testCases.failed++;
-            testGroupEnded( "", m_totals, 1, 1 );
+            testGroupEnded( std::string(), m_totals, 1, 1 );
             m_reporter->testRunEnded( TestRunStats( m_runInfo, m_totals, false ) );
         }
 
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ namespace Catch {
             Counts prevAssertions = m_totals.assertions;
             double duration = 0;
             try {
-                m_lastAssertionInfo = AssertionInfo( "TEST_CASE", testCaseInfo.lineInfo, "", ResultDisposition::Normal );
+                m_lastAssertionInfo = AssertionInfo( "TEST_CASE", testCaseInfo.lineInfo, std::string(), ResultDisposition::Normal );
 
                 seedRng( *m_config );
 
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_tag_alias_registry.hpp b/include/internal/catch_tag_alias_registry.hpp
index e5ad11b2..a1fa56b9 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_tag_alias_registry.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_tag_alias_registry.hpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     void TagAliasRegistry::add( char const* alias, char const* tag, SourceLineInfo const& lineInfo ) {
 
-        if( !startsWith( alias, "[@" ) || !endsWith( alias, "]" ) ) {
+        if( !startsWith( alias, "[@" ) || !endsWith( alias, ']' ) ) {
             std::ostringstream oss;
             oss << "error: tag alias, \"" << alias << "\" is not of the form [@alias name].\n" << lineInfo;
             throw std::domain_error( oss.str().c_str() );
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace Catch {
         if( !m_registry.insert( std::make_pair( alias, TagAlias( tag, lineInfo ) ) ).second ) {
             std::ostringstream oss;
             oss << "error: tag alias, \"" << alias << "\" already registered.\n"
-                << "\tFirst seen at " << find(alias)->lineInfo << "\n"
+                << "\tFirst seen at " << find(alias)->lineInfo << '\n'
                 << "\tRedefined at " << lineInfo;
             throw std::domain_error( oss.str().c_str() );
         }
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_test_case_info.hpp b/include/internal/catch_test_case_info.hpp
index 87355271..75f96fd9 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_test_case_info.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_test_case_info.hpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 namespace Catch {
 
     inline TestCaseInfo::SpecialProperties parseSpecialTag( std::string const& tag ) {
-        if( startsWith( tag, "." ) ||
+        if( startsWith( tag, '.' ) ||
             tag == "hide" ||
             tag == "!hide" )
             return TestCaseInfo::IsHidden;
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_test_case_registry_impl.hpp b/include/internal/catch_test_case_registry_impl.hpp
index 33169b26..0565b54a 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_test_case_registry_impl.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_test_case_registry_impl.hpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
                 ss  << Colour( Colour::Red )
                     << "error: TEST_CASE( \"" << it->name << "\" ) already defined.\n"
-                    << "\tFirst seen at " << prev.first->getTestCaseInfo().lineInfo << "\n"
+                    << "\tFirst seen at " << prev.first->getTestCaseInfo().lineInfo << '\n'
                     << "\tRedefined at " << it->getTestCaseInfo().lineInfo << std::endl;
 
                 throw std::runtime_error(ss.str());
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
         virtual void registerTest( TestCase const& testCase ) {
             std::string name = testCase.getTestCaseInfo().name;
-            if( name == "" ) {
+            if( name.empty() ) {
                 std::ostringstream oss;
                 oss << "Anonymous test case " << ++m_unnamedCount;
                 return registerTest( testCase.withName( oss.str() ) );
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
     inline std::string extractClassName( std::string const& classOrQualifiedMethodName ) {
         std::string className = classOrQualifiedMethodName;
-        if( startsWith( className, "&" ) )
+        if( startsWith( className, '&' ) )
         {
             std::size_t lastColons = className.rfind( "::" );
             std::size_t penultimateColons = className.rfind( "::", lastColons-1 );
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_tostring.hpp b/include/internal/catch_tostring.hpp
index 0a20ee2d..0c4ed62f 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_tostring.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_tostring.hpp
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ std::string toString( int value ) {
     std::ostringstream oss;
     oss << value;
     if( value > Detail::hexThreshold )
-        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ")";
+        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ')';
     return oss.str();
 }
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ std::string toString( unsigned long value ) {
     std::ostringstream oss;
     oss << value;
     if( value > Detail::hexThreshold )
-        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ")";
+        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ')';
     return oss.str();
 }
 
@@ -164,14 +164,14 @@ std::string toString( long long value ) {
     std::ostringstream oss;
     oss << value;
     if( value > Detail::hexThreshold )
-        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ")";
+        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ')';
     return oss.str();
 }
 std::string toString( unsigned long long value ) {
     std::ostringstream oss;
     oss << value;
     if( value > Detail::hexThreshold )
-        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ")";
+        oss << " (0x" << std::hex << value << ')';
     return oss.str();
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_wildcard_pattern.hpp b/include/internal/catch_wildcard_pattern.hpp
index cd8b07e1..6ce66a4d 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_wildcard_pattern.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_wildcard_pattern.hpp
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ namespace Catch
             m_wildcard( NoWildcard ),
             m_pattern( adjustCase( pattern ) )
         {
-            if( startsWith( m_pattern, "*" ) ) {
+            if( startsWith( m_pattern, '*' ) ) {
                 m_pattern = m_pattern.substr( 1 );
                 m_wildcard = WildcardAtStart;
             }
-            if( endsWith( m_pattern, "*" ) ) {
+            if( endsWith( m_pattern, '*' ) ) {
                 m_pattern = m_pattern.substr( 0, m_pattern.size()-1 );
                 m_wildcard = static_cast<WildcardPosition>( m_wildcard | WildcardAtEnd );
             }
diff --git a/include/internal/catch_xmlwriter.hpp b/include/internal/catch_xmlwriter.hpp
index c181e10e..17f7064e 100644
--- a/include/internal/catch_xmlwriter.hpp
+++ b/include/internal/catch_xmlwriter.hpp
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ namespace Catch {
 
         XmlWriter& writeBlankLine() {
             ensureTagClosed();
-            stream() << "\n";
+            stream() << '\n';
             return *this;
         }
 
diff --git a/include/reporters/catch_reporter_bases.hpp b/include/reporters/catch_reporter_bases.hpp
index cfc28f29..0c13a16b 100644
--- a/include/reporters/catch_reporter_bases.hpp
+++ b/include/reporters/catch_reporter_bases.hpp
@@ -170,6 +170,12 @@ namespace Catch {
             assert( !m_sectionStack.empty() );
             SectionNode& sectionNode = *m_sectionStack.back();
             sectionNode.assertions.push_back( assertionStats );
+            // AssertionResult holds a pointer to a temporary DecomposedExpression,
+            // which getExpandedExpression() calls to build the expression string.
+            // Our section stack copy of the assertionResult will likely outlive the
+            // temporary, so it must be expanded or discarded now to avoid calling
+            // a destroyed object later.
+            prepareExpandedExpression( sectionNode.assertions.back().assertionResult );
             return true;
         }
         virtual void sectionEnded( SectionStats const& sectionStats ) CATCH_OVERRIDE {
@@ -204,6 +210,13 @@ namespace Catch {
 
         virtual void skipTest( TestCaseInfo const& ) CATCH_OVERRIDE {}
 
+        virtual void prepareExpandedExpression( AssertionResult& result ) const {
+            if( result.isOk() )
+                result.discardDecomposedExpression();
+            else
+                result.expandDecomposedExpression();
+        }
+
         Ptr<IConfig const> m_config;
         std::ostream& stream;
         std::vector<AssertionStats> m_assertions;
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/BenchMain.cpp b/projects/Benchmark/BenchMain.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..32ef4ed9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/BenchMain.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+/*
+ *  Created by Martin on 16/01/2017.
+ *
+ *  Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
+ *  file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+ */
+
+#define CATCH_CONFIG_MAIN
+#include "catch.hpp"
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/StringificationBench.cpp b/projects/Benchmark/StringificationBench.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1c14939b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/StringificationBench.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/*
+ *  Created by Martin on 16/01/2017.
+ *
+ *  Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
+ *  file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
+ */
+
+#include "catch.hpp"
+
+#include <vector>
+
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+TEST_CASE("Successful tests -- REQUIRE", "[Success]") {
+    const size_t sz = 1 * 1024 * 1024;
+
+
+    std::vector<size_t> vec; vec.reserve(sz);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < sz; ++i){
+        vec.push_back(i);
+        REQUIRE(vec.back() == i);
+    }
+}
+
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+TEST_CASE("Successful tests -- CHECK", "[Success]") {
+    const size_t sz = 1 * 1024 * 1024;
+
+
+    std::vector<size_t> vec; vec.reserve(sz);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < sz; ++i){
+        vec.push_back(i);
+        CHECK(vec.back() == i);
+    }
+}
+
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+TEST_CASE("Unsuccessful tests -- CHECK", "[Failure]") {
+    const size_t sz = 1024 * 1024;
+
+
+    std::vector<size_t> vec; vec.reserve(sz);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < sz; ++i){
+        vec.push_back(i);
+        CHECK(vec.size() == i);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/readme.txt b/projects/Benchmark/readme.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c4d2fabd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/readme.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+This is very much a work in progress.
+The past results are standardized to a developer's machine,
+the benchmarking script is basic and there are only 3 benchmarks,
+but this should get better in time. For now, at least there is something to go by.
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-53-49-e3659cdddd43ba4df9e4846630be6a6a7bd85a07.result b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-53-49-e3659cdddd43ba4df9e4846630be6a6a7bd85a07.result
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4b6fc659
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-53-49-e3659cdddd43ba4df9e4846630be6a6a7bd85a07.result
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Successful tests -- CHECK: median: 3.38116 (s), stddev: 0.11567366292001534 (s)
+Successful tests -- REQUIRE: median: 3.479955 (s), stddev: 0.16295972890734556 (s)
+Unsuccessful tests -- CHECK: median: 1.966895 (s), stddev: 0.06323488524716572 (s)
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-59-08-a1e9b841ff500b2f39ccfd4193ae450cb653da05.result b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-59-08-a1e9b841ff500b2f39ccfd4193ae450cb653da05.result
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..98c84601
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-14T21-59-08-a1e9b841ff500b2f39ccfd4193ae450cb653da05.result
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Successful tests -- CHECK: median: 1.30312 (s), stddev: 0.08759818557862176 (s)
+Successful tests -- REQUIRE: median: 1.341535 (s), stddev: 0.1479193390143576 (s)
+Unsuccessful tests -- CHECK: median: 1.967755 (s), stddev: 0.07921104121269959 (s)
diff --git a/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-15T09-35-14-3b98a0166f7b7196eba2ad518174d1a77165166d.result b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-15T09-35-14-3b98a0166f7b7196eba2ad518174d1a77165166d.result
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe6366b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/Benchmark/results/2017-01-15T09-35-14-3b98a0166f7b7196eba2ad518174d1a77165166d.result
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Successful tests -- CHECK: median: 1.2982 (s), stddev: 0.019540648829214084 (s)
+Successful tests -- REQUIRE: median: 1.30102 (s), stddev: 0.014758430547392974 (s)
+Unsuccessful tests -- CHECK: median: 15.520199999999999 (s), stddev: 0.09536359426485094 (s)
diff --git a/scripts/benchmarkRunner.py b/scripts/benchmarkRunner.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dc753cf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/benchmarkRunner.py
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import subprocess, os, sys
+import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+from collections import defaultdict
+from statistics import median, stdev
+from datetime import datetime
+
+def get_commit_hash():
+    res = subprocess.run('git rev-parse HEAD'.split(), check=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
+    return res.stdout.strip()
+
+if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+    print('Usage: {} benchmark-binary'.format(sys.argv[0]))
+    exit(1)
+
+
+num_runs = 10
+data = defaultdict(list)
+
+
+def parse_file(file):
+
+    def recursive_search(node):
+        if node.tag == 'TestCase':
+            results = node.find('OverallResult')
+            time = results.get('durationInSeconds')
+            data[node.get('name')].append(float(time))
+        elif node.tag in ('Group', 'Catch'):
+            for child in node:
+                recursive_search(child)
+
+    tree = ET.parse(file)
+    recursive_search(tree.getroot())
+
+def run_benchmarks(binary):
+    call = [binary] + '-d yes -r xml -o'.split()
+    for i in range(num_runs):
+        file = 'temp{}.xml'.format(i)
+        print('Run number {}'.format(i))
+        subprocess.run(call + [file])
+        parse_file(file)
+        # Remove file right after parsing, because benchmark output can be big
+        os.remove(file)
+
+
+# Run benchmarks
+run_benchmarks(sys.argv[1])
+
+result_file = '{:%Y-%m-%dT%H-%M-%S}-{}.result'.format(datetime.now(), get_commit_hash())
+
+
+print('Writing results to {}'.format(result_file))
+with open(result_file, 'w') as file:
+    for k in sorted(data):
+        file.write('{}: median: {} (s), stddev: {} (s)\n'.format(k, median(data[k]), stdev(data[k])))