At once, without delay, as in When the boss learned Tom had been lying, he fired him on the spot . This usage suggests that one does not have time to move away from a particular spot. [Late 1600s]
At once, without delay, as in When the boss learned Tom had been lying, he fired him on the spot . This usage suggests that one does not have time to move away from a particular spot. [Late 1600s]
At the scene of action, as in Whenever there's a bad accident or fire, you can be sure the station will have a reporter on the spot . This usage also employs spot in the sense of “a particular location.” [Late 1600s]
Under pressure or in trouble, as in He's on the spot, because he can't pay back the loan . It is also phrased as put on the spot , meaning “put under pressure.” For example, The reporter's question put her on the spot; she didn't want to lie or to admit her part in the scandal . [First half of 1900s]
First recorded in 1885–90
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most of all, I’d leave room in the itinerary for on-the-spot finds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
Those caught doing so will get a £200 on-the-spot fine in the first instance, rising to an unlimited fine and/or a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2025
The district — where nearly all students come from low-income families — also brings in corps of tutors who walk the class and offer on-the-spot help.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2025
Among the on-the-spot penalty creations: hugging, dancing and “too many hot dogs on the ice.”
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2024
Rather, he was something of a poet, an inventor of on-the-spot ballads called corridos, and at one time he had been able to read and write in both English and Spanish.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
He looks at me in momentary panic, freezing on the spot, closing his eyes and placing both hands on his ears.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
“I used to think that songs like ‘King Solomon’s Marbles’ were just jams and conversations on the spot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
A phone call would be a lot worse mostly because it puts you on the spot and interrupts your day.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026
Although she was dressed in a ruffled, all-white dress, they thankfully did not get married on the spot.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
Beowulf grinned from ear to ear and seemed to grow taller on the spot.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
