quick off the mark

Idioms

Fast to start or try something, as in This physician is quick off the mark in trying the newest medications. This expression comes from various kinds of races, where mark indicates the starting point. It was being used figuratively from the mid-1900s on.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That said, TSMC's boss was quick off the mark in confirming the expansion of the US site at an event with Trump at the White House.

From BBC • May 18, 2025

Emerging economies for the most part were quick off the mark in their battle against inflation, raising rates well before developed peers began to do so.

From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2022

In fact, if you have, give yourself a million fashion points for being quick off the mark.

From The Guardian • Feb. 12, 2019

Federer was quick off the mark throughout that duel, unquestionably one of the matches of the year.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2018

Not quite so quick off the mark, Mr. Acting.

From Acton's Feud A Public School Story by Swainson, Frederick

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