at first blush

Idioms  

1. Also,. When first seen. For example, At first blush we thought it was an elegant restaurant, but it soon became obvious that it was hardly the place for a special dinner, or At first glance the contract looked just fine. All three phrases date from the 1300s. The noun blush is used with the obsolete meaning “glimpse” or “momentary view” and in this idiom has nothing to do with showing embarrassment. Also see love at first sight.

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Example Sentences

Thomas’ dissent is, in many respects, more emotionally complex than either his admirers or his critics, like me, were at first blush ready to admit.

From Slate • Jul. 2, 2026

As logical as this might seem at first blush, it could ultimately prove to be misguided, according to one top Wall Street strategist.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Memories get classified in ways that seem at first blush straightforward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Even then, his "logic" falls apart at first blush.

From Salon • May 18, 2024

It may seem at first blush that cooperating with the system while urging good behavior is the only option available, but in reality it is not a liberation strategy at all.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• evidently
• officially
• seemingly
• supposedly