quick (redirected from quickest)

as quick as a flash/wink

if you do something as quick as a flash, you do it very quickly. Quick as a flash, he snatched the book and ran out of the room.

See also: flash, wink

be first/quickest off the mark

be quick off the mark - to be quick to act or to react to an event or situation. Do you know which company was first off the mark to sell computers for home use?

See also: first, mark

be quick off the mark

to be quick to act or to react to an event or situation. The police were quick off the mark reaching the scene of the accident.

See also: mark

be quick on the draw

to be fast at understanding or reacting to a situation. He was quick on the draw answering the reporter's questions.

See also: draw

be quick on the uptake

be slow on the uptake - to be slow to understand new ideas. Some of the games were quite complex but the children were very quick on the uptake.

See also: uptake

cut someone to the quick (old-fashioned)

to upset someone by criticizing them. I was cut to the quick by her harsh remarks. (usually passive)

See also: cut

make a fast/quick buck (American & Australian, informal)

to earn money quickly and often in a way that is not honest. Times are hard - you have to make a fast buck wherever and however you can.

See also: buck, fast

a quick fix (informal)

a quick solution to a problem, especially one which is only temporary. The truth about dieting is that there is no quick fix. Weight must be lost gradually, over a period of time.

See also: fix

a quick one (informal)

a quick, usually alcoholic drink. Have you got time for a quick one before you go?

a quick study (American, informal)

someone who is able to learn things quickly. He's a quick study and easily grasps all the details of a discussion.

quick-fix

a quick fix - a quick solution to a problem, especially one which is only temporary. It's a system of medicine that doesn't promote the quick-fix approach to the treatment of illness. (always before noun)

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quick on the draw

able to react quickly to a situation. He was quick on the draw answering the reporter's questions.

Usage notes: sometimes said about a person who reacts too quickly to a situation and makes serious mistakes

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of quick on the draw (= able to take out and shoot a gun quickly)

See also: draw