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on the spot

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on the spot

1. Lit. at exactly the right place; at exactly the right time. It's noon, and I'm glad you're all here on the spot. Now we can begin. I expect you to be on the spot when and where trouble arises.

2. Fig. in trouble; in a difficult situation. There is a problem in the department I manage, and I'm really on the spot. I hate to be on the spot when it's not my fault.

See also: spot

on the spot

1. immediately If you're caught without a ticket, you're fined on the spot. We asked for the money and he paid us on the spot.

2. in the place where something is happening or has just happened The police were called and they were on the spot within three minutes.

3. if you run or turn on the spot, you do it without moving away from the place where you are I ran on the spot for ten minutes to warm myself up.

See also: spot

on the spot

1. in the place where something has just happened Police arrested the robber on the spot.

2. immediately Huge numbers of people donated blood on the spot. We fell in love with the puppy and bought him on the spot.

See also: spot

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? References in classic literature

The sapling which had rooted down to a poisonous stratum on the spot of its sowing had been transplanted to a deeper soil.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman by Hardy, Thomas View in context

"There are five of them," said Athos, half aloud, "and we are but three; we shall be beaten again, and must die on the spot, for, on my part, I declare I will never appear again before the captain as a conquered man.

The Three Musketeers by Dumas, Alexandre View in context

In requital, having previously waxed his hand, a practice unknown, I believe, to the gentlemen of the modern fancy, he returned the box on the ear with such interest as to kill his antagonist on the spot.

Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter View in context

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on the scrap heap
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on the side
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on the sidelines
on the skids
on the sly
on the spot
on the spur of the moment
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on the strength of
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on the table

On the Shore
On the Shore of the Wide World
On The Shoulders of Giants
On The Shoulders of Giants
on the side
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On the Side of Angels
on the side of the angels
On the sidelines
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On the Silent Wings of Freedom

On the Sizes and Distances of the Sun and Moon
on the skids
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On the Soul
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On The Spirit of the Laws
on the spot
On the Spot (disambiguation)
On the Spot (disambiguation)
On The Spot (Inez song)
On the Spot (pricing game)
On the Spot (TV series)
On the Spot (webcast)
On the spot disambiguation
On the spot disambiguation

On the Spot Marketing
on the spur of the moment
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on the square
On the square with
on the stand
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on the starboard tack
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