on the uptake
Speed of grasping
On the uptake refers to how quickly someone understands or grasps something, almost always appearing with modifiers like quick, slow, or fast: She's quick on the uptake—I only had to explain it once.
He's a bit slow on the uptake when it comes to sarcasm.
The phrase treats comprehension as something received or absorbed.
- quick on the drawFast to act
- catchSeize or snag
- catch onGrasp or gain popularity
- get the pictureAchieve full understanding
- quicknessState of being fast
perception · thick as a brick · reasoning · twig · clarity · snap · inference · grasp · slowness · register · sluggish · cognition · comprehension · light bulb moment · cotton · adaptability · keen · spot
comprehension speed
on the uptakequick on the uptake
Fast to understand
slow on the uptake · fast learner · slow learner · quick-witted · slow-witted
uptake, take, taken, taking, takes, taker, retake, intake, outtake