quick on the draw

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quick on the draw (comparative quicker on the draw, superlative quickest on the draw)

1. (idiomatic) Characterized by rapid response, as to a verbal remark or to a new situation; quick to act.
   • 1915, Zane Grey, The Lone Star Ranger‎:

     Wal, if a man can stand the loneliness, an' if he's quick on the draw, mebbe lone-wolfin' it is the best.

   • 1997 July 28, Warren Hoge, “Where Time Begins, a Millennium Pleasure Dome”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 May 2011:

     Quick on the draw with a slogan, Mr. Mandelson said he would create a project deserving cheers, not jeers, and promptly changed the sinister-sounding name of the publicly owned managing company, Millennium Central.

   • 2007 January 24, Ed Slott, “Five Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make”, in forbes.com, retrieved 29 May 2011:

     Some advisers and financial institutions are a little too quick on the draw with Individual Retirement Account rollovers.

• quick-witted

• quick on the uptake

• “quick on the draw”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.