quick on the uptake

adjective

Able to readily understand things; aware and intelligent.

Similar
quick-wittedastutebrainybrightbrilliantclevereducatedgenius
Opposite
slow on the uptakeslow-wittedaddlebrainedaddlepatedairheaded
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Meanings

adjective
  1. idiomaticAble to readily understand things; aware and intelligent.

    Synonyms: quick-witted, astute, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, educated, genius · Antonyms: slow on the uptake, slow-witted, addlebrained, addlepated, airheaded, bee-brained, beef-witted, soft

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveAble to readily understand things; aware and intelligent.

Similar
quick-wittedastutebrainybrightbrilliantclevereducatedgeniusgiftedhiveyingeniousintellectualintelligentkeenknowledgeablepiquantquickquick-wittedrational
Opposite
slow on the uptakeslow-wittedaddlebrainedaddlepatedairheadedbee-brainedbeef-wittedsoftbeefheadedbeetle-headedbirdbrainedblockheadedBoeotianboneheadedboofheadedbraindeadbrainlessbubbleheadedbuffle-headedbullet-headed
Also see
brainybrightingeniousintelligentkeenquickwittedsharp as a tacksharp-witted
Cite this entry
APA

quick on the uptake. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quick%20on%20the%20uptake

MLA

“quick on the uptake.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quick%20on%20the%20uptake. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “quick on the uptake,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quick%20on%20the%20uptake.

Source: quick on the uptake on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.