B1 Collocation Neutral 3 Min. Lesezeit

quick decision

قرار سريع

Use 'quick decision' when speed is the most important part of the choosing process.

In 15 Sekunden

  • A choice made rapidly without long deliberation or deep analysis.
  • Commonly used with the verb 'make' in both work and life.
  • Implies efficiency but can sometimes suggest a lack of careful planning.

Bedeutung

This phrase describes a choice you make very fast without spending much time thinking about it. It is often used when you are in a rush or when the answer feels obvious.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 6
1

Ordering food under pressure

The waiter was waiting, so I made a quick decision and ordered the tacos.

The waiter was waiting, so I made a rapid choice and ordered the tacos.

😊
2

In a business meeting

We need to make a quick decision on the marketing budget by noon.

We must decide rapidly on the marketing budget by midday.

💼
3

Texting a friend about a change of plans

Sorry for the late text, it was a quick decision to go out tonight!

Apologies for the late message, I decided to go out on a whim.

🤝
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

In Western business culture, the ability to make a 'quick decision' is often equated with confidence and competence. It became a buzzword in the late 20th century as corporate environments became more fast-paced. In sports, it refers to 'game-time' intelligence where athletes must react instantly.

💡

The 'Make' Rule

Always pair it with 'make'. Saying 'I did a quick decision' is a very common mistake for learners!

⚠️

Don't over-use in big life events

If you say you made a 'quick decision' to quit your job, people might think you are being irresponsible.

In 15 Sekunden

  • A choice made rapidly without long deliberation or deep analysis.
  • Commonly used with the verb 'make' in both work and life.
  • Implies efficiency but can sometimes suggest a lack of careful planning.

What It Means

A quick decision is exactly what it sounds like. It is a choice made in seconds or minutes. You don't sit down with a pro-and-con list. You just go with your gut or the most obvious option. It is the opposite of a 'calculated' or 'deliberate' decision. Sometimes these are great. Other times, they lead to buying that neon green shirt you'll never wear.

How To Use It

You usually use it with the verb make. You can say, "I had to make a quick decision." It acts as a single unit in a sentence. You can also use it to describe your personality. If you are good at this, you are 'decisive.' If you are bad at it, you might be 'indecisive.' It fits perfectly into almost any sentence structure where a choice is involved.

When To Use It

Use it when time is a factor. Think about a waiter standing over you at a restaurant. Your friends are all looking at you. You pick the pasta because you feel the pressure. That is a quick decision. It is also great for work. In a fast-paced meeting, your boss might ask for a quick decision to keep things moving. It shows you are efficient and ready for action.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use this for life-changing events unless you want to sound impulsive. You wouldn't usually say you made a quick decision to get married or buy a house. That sounds a bit reckless! Also, avoid it if the process was actually long and painful. If you thought about it for a week, it is definitely not 'quick.'

Cultural Background

In many English-speaking cultures, especially in the US and UK, being able to make a quick decision is seen as a leadership trait. People value 'movers and shakers.' There is a cultural obsession with speed and efficiency. However, there is also the famous saying, "Haste makes waste." This means if your quick decision is too fast, you might mess it up. It is a constant balance between being fast and being right.

Common Variations

You might hear people say snap decision. This is even faster—like the sound of fingers snapping. Another one is a split-second decision. This is usually for emergencies, like swerving a car to miss a cat. If you want to sound more professional, you might use prompt decision. If you are just guessing, you might call it a gut call.

Nutzungshinweise

The phrase is highly versatile and safe for all levels of formality. Just remember to use the verb 'make' to sound natural.

💡

The 'Make' Rule

Always pair it with 'make'. Saying 'I did a quick decision' is a very common mistake for learners!

⚠️

Don't over-use in big life events

If you say you made a 'quick decision' to quit your job, people might think you are being irresponsible.

💬

The 'Snap' Secret

If you want to sound like a native speaker in a casual setting, use 'snap decision' instead. It sounds more idiomatic.

Beispiele

6
#1 Ordering food under pressure
😊

The waiter was waiting, so I made a quick decision and ordered the tacos.

The waiter was waiting, so I made a rapid choice and ordered the tacos.

Shows a common everyday scenario where time is limited.

#2 In a business meeting
💼

We need to make a quick decision on the marketing budget by noon.

We must decide rapidly on the marketing budget by midday.

Professional use showing a deadline-driven environment.

#3 Texting a friend about a change of plans
🤝

Sorry for the late text, it was a quick decision to go out tonight!

Apologies for the late message, I decided to go out on a whim.

Used to explain an impulsive but fun action.

#4 A humorous shopping mistake
😄

Buying this giant inflatable unicorn was a very quick decision that I now regret.

Buying this huge toy was a fast choice I now feel sorry about.

Uses the phrase to highlight a funny, impulsive mistake.

#5 An emergency situation
💭

He had to make a quick decision to pull the fire alarm.

He had to decide instantly to activate the fire alarm.

Shows the phrase used in a serious, high-stakes moment.

#6 Formal project feedback
👔

The board appreciated your ability to make a quick decision under pressure.

The directors liked how you chose fast while stressed.

Formal praise for a specific skill.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.

I had to ___ a quick decision before the sale ended.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: make

In English, we 'make' decisions; we don't 'do' them.

Select the best adjective for a high-pressure emergency.

In a crisis, you must be able to make a ___ decision.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: quick

Crises require speed, making 'quick' the only logical choice.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality of 'Quick Decision'

Informal

Snap decision / Gut call

It was a total gut call.

Neutral

Quick decision

I made a quick decision.

Formal

Prompt / Expedient decision

We require a prompt decision.

When to use 'Quick Decision'

Quick Decision

At a Cafe

Picking coffee when the line is long.

🚗

In Traffic

Choosing a side street to avoid a jam.

💼

At Work

Approving a small request instantly.

🛒

Online Shopping

Buying something before the timer hits zero.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend without any issues.

You can, but it is less common. Quick decision is the standard collocation that sounds most natural to native ears.

A snap decision is usually even faster and more impulsive, often made without any evidence at all.

Use it as a noun phrase. For example: "I'm not good at making quick decisions when I'm tired."

Not necessarily. It can mean you are efficient, or it can mean you were too hurried and made a mistake.

A careful decision or a deliberate decision are the most common opposites.

Yes! It is perfect for small things like choosing a movie or a flavor of ice cream.

Yes, you can say you are 'able to make quick decisions in high-pressure environments.'

In English, 'make a decision' is the standard phrase. Some languages use 'take,' but in English, 'take a decision' is mostly British and more formal.

Yes, if someone says "You made a quick decision there, didn't you?" with a certain tone, they might mean you were careless.

Verwandte Redewendungen

Snap decision

A sudden, spontaneous choice made in an instant.

On the fly

Doing something quickly while you are busy with other things.

Gut feeling

A personal intuition used to make a choice without logic.

Split-second

An extremely short period of time, used for very fast actions.

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