# slow on the uptake

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/slow-on-the-uptake
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of a person, slow to comprehend or process intellectually.

## Examples

- He is a bit slow on the uptake with new technology.
- I explained the rules three times, but he was still slow on the uptake and kept making mistakes.
- Although he possessed a sharp memory for historical dates, he was notoriously slow on the uptake when it came to understanding subtle social cues.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.