blush

at first glance and at first blush

when first examined; at an early stage. At first glance, the problem appeared quite simple. Later we learned just how complex it really was. He appeared quite healthy at first glance. At first blush, she appeared to be quite old.

See also: first, glance

blush with something

[for someone's cheeks] to redden from a particular emotion or reaction. She blushed with shame. You could see that Lily was blushing with anger, even though she tried to conceal it.

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at first blush  (mainly American)

when you first start to think about something His decision isn't as odd as it may seem at first blush.

See also: first

at first glance/sight

if something or someone seems a particular way at first glance, they seem that way when you first look at them The system is more complicated than it appears at first glance.

See also: first, glance

save/spare somebody's blushes  (British & Australian)

to do something to prevent someone feeling embarrassed Granger saved the team's blushes by scoring the only goal in the last five minutes of the game. The audience's blushes were spared because the censors had removed all the explicit sex scenes from the film.

See also: save

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at first blush

when first learning or thinking about something At first blush, the house seemed perfect until we discovered we had no heat or hot water.

Related vocabulary: at first glance

See also: first

at first glance

when first looked at At first glance the deal looked great, but after reading the contract I wasn't so sure. The twins seem, at first glance, very similar, but they're actually very different.

Related vocabulary: at first sight

See also: first, glance