quickquick1 /kwɪk/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective (comparative quicker, superlative quickest) 
That was quick! I thought you’d be another hour. It’s probably quicker by train. Have we got time for a quick drink? What’s the quickest way to the station? We stopped to have a quick look at the church. Three bombs went off in quick succession (=quickly, one after the other).► see thesaurus at short2fast moving or doing something fast: She walked with short, quick steps. They were great people to work with – very quick, very efficient. Boxers have to be quick on their feet (=able to move about quickly).► see thesaurus at fast3no delay happening very soon, without any delay SYN speedy: I had to make a quick decision. We’ve put the house on the market and we’re hoping for a quick sale. We need a quick response from the government. Robertson’s quick thinking had saved the little girl’s life.4clever able to learn and understand things fast: Jane’s very witty and very quick. She’s a quick learner. He’s a good interviewer, tough and quick on the uptake (=able to understand quickly what someone is saying).5be quick used to tell someone to hurry: If you want to come with me you’ll have to be quick – I’m leaving in ten minutes. ‘Can I just finish this first?’ ‘OK, but be quick about it.’6be quick to do something to react quickly to what someone says or does: The government was quick to deny any involvement in the attacks.7quick fix informal a solution to a problem that can be done quickly, but is not a good or permanent solution: There’s no quick fix for stopping pollution. Congress is trying to avoid quick-fix solutions.8have a quick temper to get angry very easily9be quick on the draw a)to be able to pull a gun out quickly in order to shoot b)American English informal to be good at reacting quickly and intelligently to difficult questions or in difficult situations—quickness noun [uncountable] → quicklyTHESAURUSquick taking only a short time to do something: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?short lasting only a short time: · You can do a short course in diving.· The meeting was shorter than I’d expected.brief especially written lasting only a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president made a brief visit to Buenos Aires.· a brief introduction to Piaget’s ideas· a brief pause in the rainrapid especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc: · a rapid increase in crime· the rapid rate of industrial developmentspeedy happening or done as quickly as possible, especially so that you get the result that you want: · Best wishes for a speedy recovery.· The restoration work has been making speedy progress.prompt done very soon after something else: · Thank you for your prompt reply.· the prompt action of the firefighters· Discounts will be offered for prompt payment.hasty deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results: · It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.· They had to make a hasty departure.cursory formal looking at something very quickly without much attention to detail: · Even a cursory glance at these figures shows that there is a problem.· The police conducted a cursory search of the property.
WORD ORIGINquick1
Origin:
Old English cwic ‘alive’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Can I ask just one quick question?
- Carrie's very quick. I never had to explain anything twice.
- Chicken can be quick to prepare.
- Could I just make a quick phone call?
- Craig was always quick at maths, but he had trouble with reading and writing.
- Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
- Don't make any quick movements, or you'll scare the birds.
- Even lowering the price won't guarantee a quick sale.
- I'll just take a quick shower first.
- I had to make a quick decision.
- I took a quick look at the map.
- She's going to give me a quick lesson on Feng Shui this afternoon.
- She's very quick and able -- seems to pick things up in no time.
- Some children in the class are quicker than others.
- That was quick -- have you finished already?
- The house is priced for a quick sale.
- You'll have to be quick - we don't have much time.
- Eventually, the consensus is, the bigger Dallas offensive line will wear down the quicker but smaller Pittsburgh players.
- His tribe join him, five pairs, in loping flight, then a quick tail-up dive into the damsons.
- Such opportunities, however, were quick to disappear.
- The quick cold made her skin tighten.
- The beating McGee took was violent and quick.
- Three more followed, in quick succession.
- We had three children in quick succession, and no spare cash.
THESAURUS
taking only a short time to do something: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
lasting only a short time: · You can do a short course in diving.· The meeting was shorter than I’d expected.
especially written lasting only a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president made a brief visit to Buenos Aires.· a brief introduction to Piaget’s ideas· a brief pause in the rain
especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc: · a rapid increase in crime· the rapid rate of industrial development
happening or done as quickly as possible, especially so that you get the result that you want: · Best wishes for a speedy recovery.· The restoration work has been making speedy progress.
done very soon after something else: · Thank you for your prompt reply.· the prompt action of the firefighters· Discounts will be offered for prompt payment.
deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results: · It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.· They had to make a hasty departure.
formal looking at something very quickly without much attention to detail: · Even a cursory glance at these figures shows that there is a problem.· The police conducted a cursory search of the property.
Longman Language Activatordoing things quickly or happening quickly doing things quickly or happening quickly , without taking much time: · She undressed quickly and got into bed.· It's important to realize how quickly this disease can spread.· Quickly fry the onions, then add the meat.
a quick movement or action is one that you do quickly or one that only takes a short time: · I'll just take a quick shower.· That was quick -- have you finished already?· I had to make a quick decision.be quick (=use this when you are telling someone to hurry): · You'll have to be quick - we don't have much time.
if you work, talk, or write fast , you do it quickly: · Don't talk so fast - I can't understand what you're saying.· We're working as fast as we can.
a rapid change, increase, or improvement is one that happens much more quickly than usual: · a rapid increase in the population· She made a rapid recovery after her operation.· Adolescence is a period of great and rapid change.
happening or done very quickly and without any delay: · Punishment of the protesters was swift and severe.· Swift fashion changes mean that the shop has to change its stock every six to eight weeks.
a speedy return, reply, reaction, etc is one that is done or made successfully, as quickly and efficiently as possible: · We are working to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the refugees to their homes.· Thousands of letters and telegrams arrived wishing Nikolai a speedy recovery from his surgery.
a prompt action, reply, delivery etc is one that is done without delay because quick action is needed: · A major disaster was prevented by the prompt action of the safety officer.· It is important to ensure prompt delivery of goods that customers order.
: meteoric rise/career achieving success extremely quickly and suddenly: · The film tells the story of Lee's meteoric rise from North Dakota radio singer to jazz legend.
if something happens at an alarming rate , it happens so quickly that it makes people very worried: · The Amazonian rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate.· The number of people dying from lung cancer has increased at an alarming rate.
use this to say that something happens extremely quickly and suddenly, so that you almost do not notice what is happening: · He was gone in a flash.· In a flash Atticus was up and standing over him.· Joel slipped but was on his feet in a flash.
done quickly because you are hurrying done very quickly because you are in a hurry: · After a hurried dinner, the boys do their homework or watch TV.· They made a hurried search for the missing letters, but they couldn't find them.· Her handwriting looked shaky and hurried.
a quick look, meal, visit, decision etc is done very quickly, because you do not have much time: · Do I have time for a quick shower?· Could I just make a quick phone call?· The house is priced for a quick sale.
something that is rushed is done very quickly, often too quickly to do it carefully or properly; someone who is rushed does things very quickly, often so that it is not done carefully or properly: · People have complained that the doctors seem rushed, with too many patients to see in a day.· The actors' performances were needlessly rushed.
done very quickly and without much care or attention, because you have very little time: · He only had time for a hasty glance at the papers.· "I have to go now,'' said Alex, bidding them a hasty goodbye.
in a frantic situation, people are rushing around in a confused way, especially because they are worried that they will not have time to do something or get something: · Before the game there was a frantic rush to get the last few remaining tickets.· The staff spent three frantic days trying to get everything ready.· Throughout the night, everyone mopped floors and washed walls in a frantic effort to clean the place up for the inspectors.
: feverish activity/preparations/ haste etc when people are hurrying to finish something, in an excited way, and when there is not much time to do it in: · The show was about to begin and behind the stage there were scenes of feverish activity.· Feverish preparations were being made for the arrival of the President.
informal a piece of work that is done too quickly and therefore not as well as it should be done, especially because there is not enough time: · I don't want a rush job. I want this work done right.· Getting back into condition after a serious injury can't be a rush job.
quick to understand or make decisions intelligent and able to understand things quickly: · Some children in the class are quicker than others.· She's very quick and able -- seems to pick things up in no time.quick at (doing) something: · Craig was always quick at maths, but he had trouble with reading and writing.
someone who is sharp understands things very quickly, especially so that it is difficult to deceive or confuse them: · There's no point lying to her - she's much too sharp.razor sharp (=extremely sharp): · Those lawyers are razor sharp, and you've got to be careful about every single word you say.
able to understand things quickly and to answer people in an intelligent way: · John was always so quick-witted that I used to think he would have made a good secret agent.· Throughout a lifetime of public service, he proved himself a quick-witted negotiator.
a wise person makes good decisions and gives good advice, because they have a lot of experience of life - use this especially about older people: · She was a wise old woman, and we all valued her advice.· Burton didn't like what he was hearing, but he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.
spoken informal someone who is quick on the uptake learns new things and understands a situation very quickly: · You're very quick on the uptake! How did you guess?· We're looking for new staff - people who are neat, enthusiastic and quick on the uptake.
continuing for only a short time continuing for only a short time: · The meeting was shorter than I'd expected.· the shortest day of the year· a short course in aromatherapy· It would have been better if they'd closed the road for a short period of time while the repairs were done.
a quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?· She's going to give me a quick lesson on Feng Shui this afternoon. · Can I ask just one quick question?
a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: · It was impossible to see everything during our brief visit to Paris.· After a brief intermission, the performance continued.
if something does not take long , you do it and finish it in a short time: · Let me show you how to use the program -- it won't take long.not take long to do: · We'll have the chicken drumsticks - they won't take long to thaw.it doesn't take (somebody) long to do something: · It didn't take long to solve the problem.· It sure didn't take you long to smell the food!
something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: · The doctor says the swelling is just temporary and should go down in a few days.· a temporary driver's license· They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.temporary workers/staff/job etc: · Demand for temporary workers continues to rise.· Ben's found a temporary job until November.
something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling or relationship: · They had a passionate but short-lived affair. · We were glad to be home, but our happiness was short-lived.· However, the President's popularity may prove to be short-lived.
: passing thought/interest/fashion/phase etc one that continues for a short time and then quickly disappears: · At the time, I didn't give Alison so much as a passing thought -- I had other things on my mind.· Most people take only a passing interest in their horoscope.· Whether this is just a passing fad or a lasting fashion trend, only time will tell.
formal continuing for only a short time - used especially in literature: · No dictionary can really capture something as fleeting and ephemeral as slang. · Hopes of political unity in the region have proved ephemeral.
WORD SETSabsenteeism, nounacademic, adjectiveacademy, nounadult education, nounalma mater, nounassessment, nounassessor, nounassignment, nounaudiovisual, adjectiveAV, binder, nounbiology, nounblackboard, nounbursary, nounbusiness studies, nounCAL, nounCALL, nouncareer counselor, nouncareers officer, nouncase study, nounCDT, nouncert., certificate, nouncertificated, adjectivechalkboard, nouncharm school, nounchemistry set, nouncivics, nounclass, nounclassicist, nounclassmate, nouncloze test, nouncoach, nouncoeducation, nouncollege, nouncollegiate, adjectivecommon room, nouncomprehension, nouncomprehensive, adjectivecomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer science, nouncontinuing education, nouncorrespondence course, nouncoursebook, nouncoursework, nouncrash course, nouncredit, nouncrib, verbcross, nouncurriculum, nounD, noundiploma, noundirect method, nounDirector of Studies, noundissect, verbdistance learning, noundistinction, noundo, verbdropout, noundyslexia, nounedify, verbedifying, adjectiveeducate, verbeducational, adjectiveeducationalist, nouneducator, nounEFL, nounELT, nounESL, nounESOL, nounESP, nounessay, nounevening class, nounexam, nounexamination, nounexamine, verbexercise, nounexercise book, nounexternal, adjectiveextracurricular, adjectiveF, fail, nounfellowship, nounfield, nounfield day, nounfield trip, nounfieldwork, nounflashcard, nounflip chart, nounflunk, verbfree period, nounfresher, nounfreshman, nounfurther education, nounglobe, noungoverness, noungrade, verbgraded, adjectivegrade point average, noungrind, nounheuristic, adjectivehistory, nounimmersion, nounineducable, adjectiveinfirmary, nounintake, nounintelligence quotient, nouninterdisciplinary, adjectiveintroductory, adjectiveinvigilate, verbIQ, nounjanitor, nounlearning curve, nounlesson, nounletter, nounletter, verbliberal arts, nounlibrarian, nounlibrary, nounlife science, nounmainstream, adjectivemasterclass, nounmatron, nounmedia studies, nounmnemonic, nounmoderate, verbmoderator, nounmodular, adjectivemodule, nounmultiple choice, adjectivenight school, nounnumerate, adjectiveopen house, nounoral, nounoverqualified, adjectivepapier mâché, nounpass, verbpass, nounpastoral, adjectivepedagogical, adjectivepedagogue, nounpedagogy, nounphonics, nounphrasebook, nounphysical education, nounpicture book, nounplacement, nounplaytime, nounpoli sci, nounpolitical science, nounpolitics, nounprincipal, nounprize day, nounproblem, nounproctor, nounprogrammed learning, nounprotégé, nounquad, nounqualification, nounqualify, verbquick, adjectiverector, nounre-educate, verbrefectory, nounreference, nounreference library, nounrequirement, nounresearch, nounresearch, verbresit, verbresource, nounresult, nounresume, nounretake, verbretake, nounreunion, nounreview, verbrevise, verbrevision, nounrole-play, nounrote, nounscholar, nounscholarship, nounscholastic, adjectiveschool, nounscience, nounscript, nounself-taught, adjectiveset, verbspeciality, nounspelling bee, nounstandard, adjectivestate school, nounstudent body, nounstudent government, nounstudent loan, nounstudent teaching, nounstudent union, nounstudy, verbstudy hall, nounsub, nounsummer holidays, nounsummer vacation, nounsuperintendent, nounteacher, nounteaching, nountechie, nounterm, nounterm paper, nounTESL, nounTESOL, nountext, nountextbook, nountick, nountick, verbtimetable, nountimetable, verbtranscript, nountrimester, nountruancy, nountuition, nountutor, nountutor, verbunderclassman, noununit, noununseen, nounvisual aid, nounvocational, adjectivewhiteboard, nounworkbook, nounworksheet, nounX, nounyearbook, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Three bombs went off in quick succession (=quickly, one after the other). Boxers have to be quick on their feet (=able to move about quickly). I had to make a quick decision. We’ve put the house on the market and we’re hoping for a quick sale. We need a quick response from the government. Robertson’s quick thinking had saved the little girl’s life. She’s a quick learner. He’s a good interviewer, tough and quick on the uptake (=able to understand quickly what someone is saying). ‘Can I just finish this first?’ ‘OK, but be quick about it.’COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Lunch was produced in double-quick time. Robinson called the proposal a quick fix (=a temporary or easy solution) of limited value. I asked the vet to have a quick look at the puppies as well. How about a quick one at the pub? A tennis player needs to have very quick reflexes. The results were a shade better than we expected. ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ Michelle shot him a furious glance. Jack shot an anxious look at his mother. His sharp wit had them all smiling.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
Three bombs went off in quick succession (=quickly, one after the other). Boxers have to be quick on their feet (=able to move about quickly). I had to make a quick decision. We’ve put the house on the market and we’re hoping for a quick sale. We need a quick response from the government. Robertson’s quick thinking had saved the little girl’s life. She’s a quick learner. He’s a good interviewer, tough and quick on the uptake (=able to understand quickly what someone is saying). ‘Can I just finish this first?’ ‘OK, but be quick about it.’· It's easier to take a shower than a quick bath.
· It was obvious that Ann had a good brain.
· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
· I grabbed a quick breakfast and ran to the bus stop.
(=make some money quickly, often dishonestly)
· He did a rapid calculation.
· This is just a quick call to make sure you’re OK.
· A quick check showed that someone had been in the room.
· Here’s a quick checklist of things you are likely to need.
· I just want to make a very brief comment.
· According to my quick count, there were 15.
· Some groups were quick to criticize the president.
· Have I got time to make a quick dash to the shops?
Lunch was produced in double-quick time.· I chatted to a few people, then made a quick exit.
(=done more quickly than usual)· I made a quick exit before the speeches began.
Robinson called the proposal a quick fix (=a temporary or easy solution) of limited value.· I had little time for more than a quick glance around the house.
(=a very short look) We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river.
We only had a fleeting glimpse of the river.· He gave her a quick kiss before leaving for work.
(=someone who learns things quickly)· She was a quick learner, and her English got better day by day.
I asked the vet to have a quick look at the puppies as well.· Don't make any quick movements that might scare the dog.
· I like to have a brief nap in the afternoon.
How about a quick one at the pub?· It is useful to give a brief overview of the research done so far.
· Cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison.
(=happening quickly)· They were only interested in a quick profit.
· We wish him a speedy recovery.
A tennis player needs to have very quick reflexes.· We took the shortest route back to the hotel.
· He wants a quick sale, so he might reduce the price.
The results were a shade better than we expected. ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ Michelle shot him a furious glance. Jack shot an anxious look at his mother.· She gave him a quick smile.
· We need to find a quick solution.
(=one that solves a problem for a short time only)· He has accused the government of looking for quick-fix solutions.
(=quickly one after the other) He fired two shots in quick succession.
He fired two shots in quick succession. (=likely to get angry very easily)· He’s got a quick temper, which gets him into trouble.
· He was only saved by the quick thinking of two doctors.
· Wouldn’t just asking him be the quickest way to find out?
· She knew the quickest way to the hospital.
His sharp wit had them all smiling.· Wall Street wants Greenspan to take quick action to boost the flagging economy.· Some pretty quick action had taken place and she had no doubt at all as to who had been issuing orders.· Boehlert, who was ignored when he told them the same thing last year, was pleasantly surprised by the quick action.· Speaking at a packed fringe meeting, however, Mr Heseltine urged quick action.· The scientists' quick action is just one example of how the field of geophysics has advanced over the last decade.· The rate of deceleration is enormous and demands quick action.· Prison staff say it was only their quick action which saved the jail from being burned down.
· That means forgetting about the quick bucks to be made from selling nuclear technology.· Wouldn't you like to make a quick buck, Derek?· Of course no bright young thing who wants to make a quick buck would consider going into the ministry.· Others would prefer just to fuel the war - and make a quick buck at the same time.
· The overwhelming temptation and the external pressures will inevitably lead the other way; to take a quick decision and move on.· In fact, being able to make quick decisions about a whole host of issues becomes a necessity.· Parish councillors were forced into making a quick decision when the gypsies began to occupy the football field.· They were both in banking, and were therefore used to making quick decisions and to having a lot of responsibility.· Finally, we know how often you need a quick decision before an opportunity disappears.
· Because that will take time, there can be no quick fix for public spending.· Certainly, the best of them follow practices that are more customized art and skill than they are prepackaged quick fixes.· End of the war or a quick fix?· More often, we opted for the quick fix or the solution offered by the management guru of the month.· I do not believe that there is a quick fix for the coal industry.· It is better to strive for slow and gradual, but substantial, progress than a quick fix that may be ephemeral.· This, therefore, is a quick fix Bill.· Exercise is usually the best quick fix.
· She gave a quick glance in the mirror over the sideboard.· They take no notice, beyond a quick glance at the hearth, thinking it's just the wind in the chimney.· A quick glance around confirmed what I already feared.· Identification is, typically of the sort of fish that I like, not simply a matter of a quick glance.· A quick glance at the table this morning tells you it remains a chasm.· He afforded himself a quick glance at Plummer, who was still struggling with his spaghetti.· With a quick glance back at the house he ran to the car.· And perhaps he had heard it, because he shot a quick glance at her.
· He thought it best to give her a quick kiss and talk as if nothing had happened.· Madeleine gave her a quick kiss, then tossed her the postbox keys.
· She was strong, nimble, and a quick learner.· Not only are leaders learners, but they are quick learners and they enjoy learning.· A quick learner and a creative entrepreneur, he was continually dreaming up new schemes to promote and enlarge the business.
· As he raced up the narrow track he took a quick look over his shoulder.· The agents gave their luggage a quick look and wished them good fortune.· Then, have a quick look at the floor area in - and immediately surrounding - the kiosk.· And a quick look back at third-quarter winner Frontier Equity Fund provides further evidence of the risk of chasing short-term performance.· Brian took a quick look at his wife.· After a quick look round to make sure that weed left no obvious signs of our own visit, we left.· Yanto took a quick look between the bars and felt his bowels sag.· At the foot of the stairs Ronni darted him a quick look.
· If you have a poor memory you could slip away for a moment and write yourself a quick note.· But first, a quick note.· This was just a quick note.· We chatted, between battles, by typing quick notes.· He jotted down a quick note to Amy and dropped it off at the switchboard as he left.
· To deal with the signals produced by these sense organs they have considerable brains and very quick reactions.· The report also brought quick reaction from the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.· Underlying everything, therefore, is a need for quick reaction, coupled with clarity and consistently about strategic aims.· He may well be a skilled driver with quick reactions, but he will deliberately take risks.· We will never know how many lives could have been saved by a quicker reaction.
· It makes sense to keep such information on file for quick reference.· The media, ever vulnerable to a quick reference that seems remotely objective, loves to publicize the latest ratings game.· Windows Radio Toolbar, which puts a host of Net radio stations on your toolbar for quick reference.· A list of macro names and the text that they include can be used for quick reference.· The entering of symbols, with the help of a quick reference card, poses few problems.· The sound programmers quick reference is an essential addition to your technical library.· To provide quick reference for the file designer the data in Table 6.5 has been plotted in Fig. 6.11.· There are marginal comments and addresses for quick reference.
· So when the speaker was talking rapidly with a lot of energy she would listen with obvious interest, excitement and quick responses.· The quick response exemplified the aggressive way Republicans have sought to put the best face on the investigation into Gingrich.· Her quick response made him feel more quick, as if in some flattering way she was complimenting him.· Figure 1. 7 illustrates the various steps of the quick response chain.· Your quick response in an emergency could be a life-saver for your child.· His former sparkle and quick response were missing.· This has its problems, but it does allow a quick response to members' requests for topics.· He said the quick response illustrates that federal safeguards for such facilities work.
· Motor Racing Brabham for quick sale.· There are occasional quick sales of perishable goods, such as garlic and frozen shrimp.· Competitively priced for a quick sale.
· Her movements seemed more jittery, and her quick smile during the introductions looked forced.· She gives me a quick smile, then returns to her tomatoes.· He looked sidelong at her with a quick smile, and she frowned and nodded his attention quickly towards the stranger.· He had a quick smile, smooth skin and a booming fascination with his own anatomy.· A nod, a quick smile.· She set the mugs down and gave me a quick smile on her way out.
· Another ex-Dragon Steve Clark then forced Wood to make two good saves in quick succession.· Two harpoons are usually thrown in quick succession.· Double-click - A mouse procedure where the left-hand mouse button is pressed twice in quick succession.· We had three children in quick succession, and no spare cash.· Her neediness drove her into marriage at a young age, and she gave birth to four children in quick succession.· Steelwork and the cladding followed in quick succession.· Events moved in quick succession during these months.
· I mean, the guy has got one helluva quick temper.· His wife, however, is an outgoing person with a quick temper.· I know you're a nice little girl underneath even though you've got a bit of a quick temper.· This quick temper that flared at nothing, that was new.
· The quick way is not to use any artificial fertilisers, chemical sprays or dusts.· They are a quick way to add protein to noodle soups.· Well, there's one quick way to find out.· We really thought we'd found a quicker way to get copies to our distant subscribers.· This is a very quick way to get your hand in and learn what you need to practise.· Nonsense - it is the quickest way to learn and, what is more, is never forgotten.· Now I suggested that they might find a quicker way to count the sticks.
· Shabba's dominance of reggae is due to his unique voice, strong personal style and quick wit.· Sylvie, tempered with Mathilde's quick wits and humour.
· Er, before I ring off can I have a quick word with Cedric please - if he's there?
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► have a quick temperPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► good-tempered/foul-tempered/quick-tempered etc► be slow/quick on the uptake► nice work/quick work
1short time lasting for or taking only a short time: - A quick fix clearly becomes unfixed.
- Exercise is usually the best quick fix.
- I do not believe that there is a quick fix for the coal industry.
- It is better to strive for slow and gradual, but substantial, progress than a quick fix that may be ephemeral.
- More often, we opted for the quick fix or the solution offered by the management guru of the month.
- There are no quick fixes that enable work-inhibited students to become academically competent.
- There will be no quick fix for the San Francisco Giants.
- This, therefore, is a quick fix Bill.
- Amy was very quick on the draw in her interview.
- As you were quick enough to remind me, we swore we would do anything to bring the killer to justice.
- But Grody is quick to address the concerns of those who think swing dancing is about memorizing routines.
- His reactions are quick and his learning capacity excellent.
- My mind was quick and clear, yet all physical movement fell into a lingering genus of departure.
- Only the blistering 911 Turbo is quicker.
- People are quick to slap that label on you, and then just as eager to predict your downfall.
- Timmy was a natural games player and was quick to profit from the tips his father gave him.
- When Macintosh appeared, they were quick in invoking the code, as if holding a crucifix to ward off a vampire.
- Coach Killick was quick to point out that the team is playing very well.
- I don't think he'll be so quick to forgive you.
- By contrast, Mrs Thatcher leads from the front, has views on most issues, and is quick to voice them.
- Company leaders were quick to discern this.
- However, Lang is quick to add that non-alcoholic beverages will also be served.
- It was quicker to go and ask there.
- Joey was quick to see his cousin, but slow to react.
- Kids talk candidly and loudly about their Santa experience, and are quick to point out body odor and bad breath.
- Movie writers and directors are quick to acknowledge differences between the genres.
- Yet his spokesperson was quick to explain that this was coincidence, not a coded reference to the coalition bargaining in Vienna.
- Anything would have been better than this ice-cold contempt that cut her to the bone.
- His mockery, which he meant as love, frightened and cut her to the bone.
- It had a lethal edge now which cut her to the bone.
- Son, you really cut down to the quick.
- That's probably why she sent him - she knew it would cut him to the quick.
- The answer cut him to the quick.
- These icy cold droplets seemed to cut through to the bone as if to punish him for the way he was.
- I don't deny it was a good lay.
- Salad crops, however, are quick off the mark.
- This time, they were slow off the mark.
- He rarely missed work and was considered a quick study.
- Garnett is indeed a quick study.
- I was a quick study, learning my way around new subject areas fast.
- He is supposedly not the hardest worker ever.
- He made Mrs Timms look uninterested in her store, the Reliance Market, and she was a hard worker.
- He was a good, hard worker.
- She was known to be very tough and a very hard worker.
- She was such a hard worker and a wonderful cook.
- The girl was a good worker who came and went quietly about her business.
That was quick! I thought you’d be another hour. It’s probably quicker by train. Have we got time for a quick drink? What’s the quickest way to the station? We stopped to have a quick look at the church. Three bombs went off in quick succession (=quickly, one after the other).► see thesaurus at short2fast moving or doing something fast: She walked with short, quick steps. They were great people to work with – very quick, very efficient. Boxers have to be quick on their feet (=able to move about quickly).► see thesaurus at fast3no delay happening very soon, without any delay SYN speedy: I had to make a quick decision. We’ve put the house on the market and we’re hoping for a quick sale. We need a quick response from the government. Robertson’s quick thinking had saved the little girl’s life.4clever able to learn and understand things fast: Jane’s very witty and very quick. She’s a quick learner. He’s a good interviewer, tough and quick on the uptake (=able to understand quickly what someone is saying).5be quick used to tell someone to hurry: If you want to come with me you’ll have to be quick – I’m leaving in ten minutes. ‘Can I just finish this first?’ ‘OK, but be quick about it.’6be quick to do something to react quickly to what someone says or does: The government was quick to deny any involvement in the attacks.7quick fix informal a solution to a problem that can be done quickly, but is not a good or permanent solution: There’s no quick fix for stopping pollution. Congress is trying to avoid quick-fix solutions.8have a quick temper to get angry very easily9be quick on the draw a)to be able to pull a gun out quickly in order to shoot b)American English informal to be good at reacting quickly and intelligently to difficult questions or in difficult situations—quickness noun [uncountable] → quicklyTHESAURUSquick taking only a short time to do something: · I took a quick look at the map.· Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?short lasting only a short time: · You can do a short course in diving.· The meeting was shorter than I’d expected.brief especially written lasting only a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: · The president made a brief visit to Buenos Aires.· a brief introduction to Piaget’s ideas· a brief pause in the rainrapid especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc: · a rapid increase in crime· the rapid rate of industrial developmentspeedy happening or done as quickly as possible, especially so that you get the result that you want: · Best wishes for a speedy recovery.· The restoration work has been making speedy progress.prompt done very soon after something else: · Thank you for your prompt reply.· the prompt action of the firefighters· Discounts will be offered for prompt payment.hasty deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results: · It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.· They had to make a hasty departure.cursory formal looking at something very quickly without much attention to detail: · Even a cursory glance at these figures shows that there is a problem.· The police conducted a cursory search of the property.