at a word

Idioms  

1. In immediate response, at an instant. For example, At a word from the captain they lined up in order. [c. 1300]

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Example Sentences

“Ranchers and farmers are pretty much the same everywhere,” said Whitney, her calloused hands busy at a word search puzzle as the auctioneer chanted.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Remediate, he thought: Orwell would spit at a word like that.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2021

Keep looking and they start to accrue into strings, as when you stare at a word search.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2020

He added, “I like your style. Just look at a word and see if it’s one I would use. Because ‘magic’ isn’t one I’d use.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 2, 2019

Ylla laid herself back in the canopy and, at a word from her husband, the birds leaped, burning, toward the dark sky.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury