English, baby!

on the spot

Date: Feb 07 2002

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“I’m willing to wager that if you met a woman named Noah, you’d marry her right on the spot.”
- Noah Wyle, actor on the television show ER, talking to George Clooney about marriage.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

immediately, instantly, right away, without delay, at once

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

You can use “on the spot” to describe any situation in which something is done immediately. For example, if you find some shoes you really like at a store, you’d probably buy them on the spot. Or, if you spill a drink on the floor, you’d probably clean it up on the spot.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

””When I got your email, I wrote you back on the spot. I wanted to answer all of your questions as soon as possible.”“

””When Jeff’s sister got home, he gave her a big hug on the spot. They hadn’t seen each other for 2 years.”“

””I don’t like mushrooms. The last time I ate one, I got sick right on the spot.”“

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

On the spot means A) immediately B) in trouble C) at the place where one is needed
by Clare (Hong Kong)
This expression means – immediately.
by Marialba
The meaning of “on the spot” is the same as “on the spear of the moment” or “once…..”. It is used to express the speed of action.
by Mohammed (Egypt)
On the spot mean just at that time.
by Maggie
I think that “on the spot” means immediately , with out thinking about it.
by Veronica (Argentina)
The slang “on the spot” means immediately, that is, to do something without delay. In fact, it was what I did. No sooner I got Ebaby’s “Slang of the week” e-mail I replied it in a jiffy.
by Agnaldo (Itajuba, Brazil)
‘On the spot’ means right away or immediately. (I’d marry her immediately or right away.) A thing should be done ‘on the spot’ is to be done without delay or on the scene of action.
by Diona (Phillipines)
“On the spot” means something is very good or something is just you needed.
by Zhixiang (China)