ON THE SPOT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does on the spot mean? 

• ON THE SPOT (adverb)
  The adverb ON THE SPOT has 3 senses:

1. without delay or immediately

2. in a difficult situation

3. at the place in question; there

  Familiarity information: ON THE SPOT used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ON THE SPOT (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without delay or immediately

Context example:

thought they were going to shoot us down on the spot

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a difficult situation

Context example:

that question really put him on the spot

Sense 3

Meaning:

At the place in question; there

Context example:

it had to be decided by the man on the spot

 Context examples 

"Why didn't you pop out and tell them so on the spot?"

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Within an hour, I was on the spot and had taken over the case.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“To be on the spot,” I hinted.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She is so sweet with old people; I think they all fell in love with her on the spot.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I will produce him first—he is on the spot.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I left them there and came on to Hartfield, impatient for your opinion, and hoping you might be persuaded to join them and give your advice on the spot.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Like enough, to judge from the sound, his back was broken on the spot.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The dog died on the spot, and we left the doctor endeavouring to recover him, by the same operation.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Then he aimed a great blow, and struck the wolf on the head, and killed him on the spot! and when he was dead they cut open his body, and set Tommy free.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

He would have burned the "Sea Lyrics" on the spot, had his will been strong enough to set them aflame.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)