spot (redirected from spot boards)

*in a (tight) spot

Fig. caught in a problem; in a jam. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~. See also in a bind and the examples.) Look, John, I'm in a tight spot. Can you lend me twenty dollars? I'm in a spot too. I need $300.

*rooted to the spot

Fig. unable to move because of fear or surprise. (*Typically: appear to be ~; be ~;become ~.) Jane stood rooted to the spot when she saw the ghostly figure. Mary stood rooted to the spot when the thief snatched her bag.

See also: root

have a soft spot (in one's heart) for someone or an animal

Fig. to have a fondness for someone, something, or an animal. I have a soft spot in my heart for Jeff. I'll always be his friend. Elaine has a soft spot for kittens.

See also: animal, have, soft

hit the high spots

Fig. to do only the important, obvious, or good things. I won't discuss the entire report. I'll just hit the high spots. First, let me hit the high spots; then I'll tell you the details.

See also: high, hit

hit the spot

Inf. to be exactly right; to be refreshing. This cool drink really hits the spot. That was a delicious meal, dear. It hit the spot.

See also: hit

leopard cannot change his spots

Prov. One cannot change the basic way one is. Bill may say he'll stop being so jealous after Cindy marries him, but I doubt he will. A leopard can't change his spots.

See also: cannot, change, his, leopard

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.

put someone on the spot

Fig. to ask someone forthright questions; to demand that someone produce as expected. Don't put me on the spot. I can't give you an instant answer. The boss put Bob on the spot and demanded that he do everything he had promised.

See also: put

spot someone (something)

1. Sl. to give an advantage to someone. I'll spot you twenty points. No need to spot me. I'm the greatest!

2. Sl. to lend someone something. Can you spot me a few bucks? I can spot you a whole hundred!

spot someone as something

to recognize someone to be something; to realize that someone is something. I spotted you as a troublemaker from the very beginning. The guard spotted Max as a potential thief the moment he saw him.

touch a sore spot and touch a sore point

Fig. to refer to a sensitive matter that will upset someone. (Fig. on the notion of touching an injury and causing pain.) I seem to have touched a sore spot. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. When you talk to him, avoid talking about money. It's best not to touch a sore point if possible.

See also: sore, touch

X marks the spot.

This is the exact spot. (Sometimes the speaker will draw an X in the spot while saying this.) This is where the rock struck my car—X marks the spot. Now, please move that table over here. Yes, right here—X marks the spot.

See also: mark

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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 (often + in ) The only bright spot in Liverpool's disastrous performance was a stunning goal in the second half.

See also: bright

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

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: change, leopard

a sore point/spot

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

See also: point, sore

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 have on a short leash, keep a tight rein on, run a tight ship, sit tight

See also: corner, tight

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

have a soft spot for somebody/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: have, soft

have a weak spot for somebody/something   (American)

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

See also: have, 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

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 somebody/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

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.

put somebody 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.

See hit the spot

See also: put

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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 also in a tough 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.

Related vocabulary: in a bind

See also: tight

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.

put somebody 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.

See also: put

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