be quick off the mark
To be quick to react or take action. You have to be quick off the mark if you're going to be an emergency responder. If you aren't quick off the mark with sales, your competitors will capitalize on that and your business will suffer this holiday season. Dude, if you're not quick off the mark in a boxing match, you're gonna get punched in the face.
be slow off the mark
To be slow to react or take action. He's too slow off the mark to be an effective emergency responder. You were a little slow off the mark on your last line. Come in a little bit sooner next time. You won't make it as a goalie in this league if you're slow off the mark like that.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
be quick (or slow) off the mark
be fast (or slow) in responding to a situation or understanding something. The mark here is the line or marker from which a competitor starts a race, as is also the case in get off the mark and on your marks.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
be ˌquick/ˌslow off the ˈmark
be quick/slow to do something or understand something: You have to be quick off the mark when you answer a newspaper advertisement for an apartment. ♢ Jenny was rather slow off the mark, and they had to explain the joke to her.In athletics, your mark is your starting point in a race.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017