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ON THE SPOT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Without delay or immediately
Example:
thought they were going to shoot us down on the spot
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
At the place in question; there
Example:
it had to be decided by the man on the spot
Classified under:
Sense 3
Meaning:
In a difficult situation
Example:
that question really put him on the spot
Classified under:
Adverbs
Context examples:
I thought he’d let drive at him on the spot.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
A “miners’ meeting,” called on the spot, decided that the dog had sufficient provocation, and Buck was discharged.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
The first month after their marriage was spent with their friend at the Mansion-house; from whence they could superintend the progress of the Parsonage, and direct every thing as they liked on the spot;—could chuse papers, project shrubberies, and invent a sweep.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Here are many that would be interested in your improvements, my dear Mr. Rushworth, and that would like to hear Mr. Crawford's opinion on the spot, and that might be of some small use to you with their opinions; and, for my own part, I have been long wishing to wait upon your good mother again; nothing but having no horses of my own could have made me so remiss; but now I could go and sit a few hours with Mrs. Rushworth, while the rest of you walked about and settled things, and then we could all return to a late dinner here, or dine at Sotherton, just as might be most agreeable to your mother, and have a pleasant drive home by moonlight.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
When they were called in, Laurie was standing by their mother with such a penitent face that Jo forgave him on the spot, but did not think it wise to betray the fact.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I really had some fear of Mr. Micawber's dying on the spot.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Reader, I forgave him at the moment and on the spot.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
We struck our bargain on the spot.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Would not he like to have him always on the spot?
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
