on-the-spot

American  

[on-thuh-spot, awn-] / ˈɒn ðəˌspɒt, ˈɔn- /

adjective

1. done or occurring at the time or place in question.

   an on-the-spot recording.

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on the spot Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

3. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of on-the-spot

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Soaring on-the-spot gas prices hit Evonik facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Nebraska this winter, too.

From The Wall Street Journal

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals playing is the opposite of a surprise job interview or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

From BBC

As we were with Mr Hong, whose boat capsized earlier this year, a team of government inspectors arrived to carry out a series of on-the-spot checks on two of his other vessels.

From BBC

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals animals playing is the opposite of a surprise job interview or an on-the-spot subtraction task.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• delicate
• dicey
• hazardous
• perilous
• precarious
• sensitive
• speculative
• treacherous
• tricky
• uncertain
• unhealthy
• unsafe
• unsound