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on the uptake



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Idioms and Phrases

In understanding or comprehension. This term is most often put as quick on the uptake , for readily understanding something, and slow on the uptake , for being slow to comprehend. For example, Shirley will have no trouble learning that new computer program—she's very quick on the uptake . It alludes to absorbing (“taking up”) information. [Early 1800s]

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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on the up-and-upon the verge of