quick on the uptake
1
6.7
- idiom
:
rápido para entender
- His ability to adapt was impressive; he was always quick on the uptake during discussions.
Examples
-
The teacher praised her for being quick on the uptake, especially when explaining complex topics.
-
Not too quick on the uptake, huh?
-
"For such a genius, you're not too quick on the uptake."
Fiction book (2001) -
K is usually pretty quick on the uptake, so it seems odd that this hasn't occurred to him.
Blog text (23) -
Stephanie, I'm not always that quick on the uptake as regards...
-
They have capacious minds, analytical and quick on the uptake.
Academic text (2007) -
Scientists have known for a while—as do most new parents—that babies and small children are phenomenally quick on the uptake.
Blog text (4) -
During the training session, she was quick on the uptake and easily grasped the new concepts.
Synonyms
61
3.2
Able to understand and answer fast
13
6.3
To notice things quickly and act to fix them
9
5.6
Quick to notice and understand things
5
6.7
Able to understand new things very quickly
4
4.8
Able to think and give smart fast answers
4
5.2
Able to think and answer quickly in surprising or difficult situations
3
3.6
Quick at learning or understanding new things
1
9.2
Able to notice and understand things quickly
Antonyms
How Quick
40
6.9
353
1.2
1
6.7
∞
1.0
- Informal
4
8.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning can be partially inferred from 'quick' (fast) and 'uptake' (taking up/acceptance of ideas) so a learner could reconstruct 'quick to take up information' as 'fast to understand'. However, 'on the uptake' is a somewhat idiomatic noun phrase where 'uptake' must be read in a comprehension sense rather than a literal one, so a B1 learner who knows the words may still need exposure to this specific usage.
Etymology
The idiom quick on the uptake may come from a simple image: someone who takes up new ideas fast, because uptake means 'taking in'. That's why if you are quick on the uptake, you are fast at 'understanding' or learning new things.