be slow off the mark


be slow off the mark

To be slow to react or take action. He's too slow off the mark to be an effective emergency responder. You were a little slow off the mark on your last line. Come in a little bit sooner next time.See also: mark, off, slow

be ˌquick/ˌslow off the ˈmark

be quick/slow to do something or understand something: You have to be quick off the mark when you answer a newspaper advertisement for an apartment. ♢ Jenny was rather slow off the mark, and they had to explain the joke to her.In athletics, your mark is your starting point in a race.See also: mark, off, quick, slow