quick off the mark

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

"So certainly, my advice to students...is to be pretty quick off the mark if that's what you're looking for."

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2023

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

Never let it be said that Disney is not quick off the mark when there’s a buck to be made.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2020

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

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2018

Obsessive, creative and quick off the mark, Electron had respect, which is one reason Par felt so badly.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette