spot

be in a tight corner/spot

to be in a difficult situation. She had been in tight corners before and had always managed to get out of them.

See also: corner, tight

a blind spot

something that you do not understand at all, often because you are not willing to try. He had a complete blind spot where public relations were concerned, so his political career was doomed from the start. Languages are my blind spot - I was always terrible at French.

See also: blind

a bright spot

a pleasant or successful event or period of time when most other things are unpleasant or not successful. The only bright spot in Liverpool's disastrous performance was a stunning goal in the second half. (often + in)

See also: bright

glued/rooted to the spot

if you are glued to the spot, you cannot move, usually because you are very shocked or frightened. I stood there rooted to the spot as he came nearer and nearer.

See also: glue, root

have a soft spot for someone/something

to feel a lot of affection for someone or something, often without knowing why. I've got a real soft spot for Thomas - I just find something about him very appealing.

See also: soft

have a weak spot for someone/something (American)

to feel attraction to or affection for someone or something. Sarah has a weak spot for basketball players.

See also: weak

hit the spot

if food hits the spot, it tastes good and makes you feel satisfied. Mmm, that pecan pie hit the spot.

See also: hit

a hot spot

1. a place where people go for exciting entertainment like dancing. The club is one of the city's premiere hot spots.

2. a dangerous place where there may be a war or other violent events. I spent my career reporting from the world's hot spots.

See also: hot

Johnny-on-the-spot (American, informal)

someone who is immediately ready to do something, especially to help someone. This guy had just gotten a flat tire, and there I was, Johnny-on-the-spot with my tools in the back of the car.

knock spots off someone/something (British & Australian, informal)

to be very much better than someone or something else. There's a vegetarian restaurant in Brighton that knocks spots off any round here.

See also: knock

A leopard can't/doesn't change its spots.

something that you say which means that a person's character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend it has. I doubt very much that marriage will change Chris for the better. A leopard doesn't change its spots.

See also: can't, change, doesn't

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.

on-the-spot

on the spot - in the place where something is happening or has just happened. Her on-the-spot reports from war zones around the world won her several awards. (always before noun)

put someone on the spot

to cause someone difficulty or make them embarrassed by forcing them at that moment to make a difficult decision or answer an embarrassing question. Steve rather put him on the spot by asking when we were going to get a pay-rise.

a sore point/spot

a subject which someone would prefer not to talk about because it makes them angry or embarrassed. I tried not to make any reference to Mike's drinking habits - I know it's a sore point with Kay at the moment. (often + with)

See also: point, sore

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hit the spot

to be exactly what is wanted or needed. That apple pie really hit the spot. This kind of testing for new products really hits the spot.

See also: hit

in a tight spot

in a difficult situation. If there is a shortage of fuel, everyone who drives to work will be in a tight spot. Bob's in a tight spot right now because he has fallen behind in his work.

put someone/something in a hole

in a bind

See also: tight

on the spot

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

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

put someone on the spot

to cause someone difficulty or embarrassment. She asked if I would vote for her, which really put me on the spot because I had decided not to.

rooted to the spot

not able to move. Mary was afraid and wanted to run away, but she was rooted to the spot and watched as the building collapsed.

See also: root