quick on the uptake
Smart; intelligent.
Умный, интеллигентный.
Eleanor is very witty and quick on the uptake.
Элеонора очень остроумна и быстро схватывает.
Despite the complex instructions, Emily was quick on the uptake and understood the task immediately.
Несмотря на сложные инструкции, Эмили быстро схватывала суть задания и сразу его поняла.
In our brainstorming sessions, Alex is always quick on the uptake, offering innovative ideas before anyone else has a chance to speak.
Во время наших мозговых штурмов Алекс всегда быстро схватывает суть вопроса и предлагает инновационные идеи еще до того, как кто-либо другой успевает высказаться.
run a risk
take a risk
To be open to danger or loss; put yourself in danger; be unprotected.
A baseball umpire wears a mask and chest protector so he won't run the risk of being hit by the ball.
Billy takes a risk of being hit by a car when he runs into the street without looking.
I was afraid to run the risk of betting on the game.
sit down
take a seat
To sit on a seat or resting place.
After gym class Jim was tired and was glad to sit down and rest.
We sat down on the park bench and watched the children play.
There aren't any more chairs, but you can take a seat on the floor.
sit up and take notice
To be surprised into noticing something.
Grace had never impressed her teachers. Hearing that she had won the essay contest made them sit up and take notice.
George's sudden success made the town sit up and take notice.
slow on the draw
slow on the uptake
Not very smart; having difficulty figuring things out.
Быть не очень сообразительным, туповатым; иметь трудности в понимании чего-либо; медлительный.
Poor Eric doesn't get very good grades in physics; when it comes to problem-solving, he is rather slow on the draw.
Mary is said to be slow on the draw, but she immediately takes advantage of something.
Говорят, Мэри медлительная, но она сразу же берет выгоду из чего-то.
My new student is slow on the uptake, and I have to explain everything to him several times.
Мой новый студент несообразительный, и мне приходиться объяснять ему по нескольку раз.
stake a claim
To claim ownership of land by driving stakes to show boundaries.
The gold hunters staked claims in the West.
To claim a person or thing as your own by some sign. Usually used with on.
George staked a claim on Dianne by giving her his class ring.
take French leave
To leave secretly; abscond.
The party was so boring that we decided to take French leave.
While the Smith family was in Europe, the house-sitter packed up all the silver and took French leave.
take a back seat
To accept a poorer or lower position; be second to something or someone else.
Занимать более слабую позицию; быть вторым.
During the war all manufacturing had to take a back seat to military needs.
She does not have to take a back seat to any singer alive.
He decided it was time to take a back seat and let someone younger run the club.
Он решил, что пришло время отойти от дел и позволить кому-то помоложе руководить клубом.