slow on the uptake
Meaning: Slow to understand.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I'm a bit slow on the uptake before my morning coffee.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Uptake" in the sense of understanding comes from Scots English, recorded from the early 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Dur à la détente — literally: Stiff on the trigger
More idioms — Daily Life
- kiss something goodbye — To accept that one has lost something or will never get it.
- set one's sights on — To decide to try to get or achieve something.
- God forbid — Used to say that one hopes something bad will not happen.
- kill them all and let God sort them out — A grim or joking call to act ruthlessly without distinguishing innocent from guilty.
- play hooky — To skip school or work without permission.
- sing someone's praises — To praise someone enthusiastically.
More English idioms
- a little bird told me — I learned it from a secret source I won't name.
- put one's feet up — To relax and rest.
- blow a gasket — To lose one's temper completely.
- hearts and flowers — Excessive sentimentality.
- grasp all, lose all — If you try to get too much, you may end up with nothing.
- the power behind the throne — Someone with no official title who secretly controls a leader.