on the spot

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee spot]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði spɒt/
- /ɒn ðə spɒt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee spot]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði spɒt/

Definitions of on the spot words

adjective on the spot Radio, Television. pertaining to the point of origin of a local broadcast. broadcast between announced programs. 1
adjective on the spot made, paid, delivered, etc., at once: a spot sale; spot goods. 1
noun on the spot a rounded mark or stain made by foreign matter, as mud, blood, paint, ink, etc.; a blot or speck. 1
noun on the spot something that mars one's character or reputation; blemish; flaw. 1
noun on the spot a small blemish, mole, or lesion on the skin or other surface. 1
noun on the spot a small, circumscribed mark caused by disease, allergic reaction, decay, etc. 1

See all 45 definitions of on the spot

Information block about the term

Origin of on the spot

First appearance:

before 1885

One of the 21% newest English words

First recorded in 1885-90

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for On the spot

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of On the spot

on the spot popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 37% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 55% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

on the spot usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for on the spot

adv on the spot

arbitrarily — subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion: an arbitrary decision.
double-time — to cause to move in double time: Double-time the troops to the mess hall.
hereupon — upon or on this.
immediately — without lapse of time; without delay; instantly; at once: Please telephone him immediately.
in nothing flat — no thing; not anything; naught: to say nothing.

adj on the spot

behind the eight ball — in a difficult situation; snookered
defenseless — If someone or something is defenseless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly.
for show — in order to impress, for display only
in dutch — of, relating to, or characteristic of the natives or inhabitants of the Netherlands or their country or language.

noun on the spot

double-trouble — a very troublesome thing or person.
jeopardy — hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury: For a moment his life was in jeopardy.

adverb on the spot

attendant — An attendant is someone whose job is to serve or help people in a place such as a petrol station, a car park, or a cloakroom.
attending — having primary responsibility for a patient.
available — If something you want or need is available, you can find it or obtain it.
chancy — Something that is chancy involves a lot of risk or uncertainty.
dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.

adjective on the spot

bared — without covering or clothing; naked; nude: bare legs.
debunked — Simple past tense and past participle of debunk.
defenceless — If someone or something is defenceless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly.
denuded — to make naked or bare; strip: The storm completely denuded the trees.
disclosed — Simple past tense and past participle of disclose.

All 33 Synonyms of on the spot