on the spot Definition

spot
noun

1. A small mark or stain.

Thesaurus: speck, mark, discolouration, stain, smudge, blemish, flaw, blot, daub.
2. A drop of liquid.
3. A small amount, especially of liquid.

Thesaurus: pinch, iota, bit, morsel, splash.
4. An eruption on the skin; a pimple.
5. A place.

Example: found a secluded spot
Thesaurus: place, locality, site, area, region, scene, point, position.
6. colloq
A small amount of work.
Example: did a spot of ironing
7. A place or period in a schedule or programme.

Example: a five-minute comedy spot
8. colloq
A spotlight.
9. snooker.billiards.
A mark on the table where a specified ball is placed.
Example: had to put the black on pink ball's spot
10. A relatively dark patch on the sun.
11. colloq
A place of entertainment.
Example: knew all the hot spots in town

verb spotted, spotting

1. To mark with spots.
2. To see; to catch sight of something.

Thesaurus: sight, detect, find, locate, discern, espy, observe, see, make out, recognize, identify.
3. To watch for and record the sighting of (eg trains, planes, etc).
4. To search for (new talent).
intr
5. Said of rain: to fall lightly.
6. snooker.billiards.
To put (a ball) in its proper place on the table or, if that is not possible, to place it on the next available one.

Derivative: spotting
noun

Derivative: -spotting
noun

Note: in compounds

Example: trainspotting

Derivative: high spot

See separate entry.

Idiom: in a spot

colloq
In trouble or difficulty.

Idiom: knock spots off someone or something

colloq
To be overwhelmingly better than them.

Idiom: on the spot

Immediately and often without warning.
Example: Motorists caught speeding are fined on the spot

At the scene of some notable event.

In an awkward situation, especially one requiring immediate action or response.
Example: put someone on the spot

Derivative: soft spot

Andsee separate entries.

Etymology: 12c: from Norse spotti small bit.