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# not the quickest

phrase (adjective phrase: not the quickest)

«not the quickest» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite) not very clever; slow to understand.
2. (literal) not the fastest in speed.

### In the lessons

People say it to hint gently that someone is slow to understand, without calling them stupid. Polite register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- He's not the quickest, so explain it twice.
- I'm not the quickest learner, but I get there in the end.
- She wasn't the quickest runner in the race, but she finished.
- Our dog isn't the quickest — he still hasn't learned «sit».
- Not the quickest on the uptake, is he?
- I'm not the quickest at mental maths, so I write the sums down.

### Note

It can be literal (speed) or the euphemism (thinking). «Quick on the uptake» = quick to understand. Plain words: slow, not clever.