on the spot

Meaning

1. Oxford50% of films

   immediately

2. Editorial28% of films

   in an awkward position, forced to answer, decide, or act under pressure

3. Oxford11% of films

   at the actual place where sth is happening

   and finds out he's jailed, she has a heart attack and drops dead right on the spot.

4. Editorial6% of films

   (in “Johnny on the spot”) ready and available at the exact moment needed

In the movies · 18

• Listen, I hate to put you on the spot,The Grand Budapest Hotel2014
• And if the trouble doesn't subside at once, the prisoner will be shot on the spot.Paths of Glory1957
• and finds out he's jailed, she has a heart attack and drops dead right on the spot.GoodFellas1990
• On the spot?End of Watch2012
• Second one killed him on the spot.Cinderella Man2005
• I won't have her put on the spot.Downton Abbey2019
• So, I hire him on the spot.Drive2011
• The man on the spot is Aaron Conners.Trainwreck2015

Learn it in full scenes

• Paths of Glory1957
  • Broulard Pitches the Anthill Offensive
  • Broulard Visits Dax at the Front
  • Mireau Orders Dax to Take the Anthill
• GoodFellas1990
  • Henry Wants to Be a Gangster
  • Young Henry Gets Beaten and Recruited
  • Paulie's Protection Racket
• Downton Abbey2019
  • The King and Queen Are Coming
  • Downton Prepares for the Royal Visit
  • The Royal Butler Takes Over

From the same entry

• in a spot
• put on the spot
• a bright spot
• glued to the spot
• hit the spot
• knock spots off
• a leopard cannot change its spots
• be riveted to the spot
• have a soft spot for
• a tight spot
• be spotted with

More idioms

• at your disposal
• move heaven and earth
• side by side
• on your feet
• come clean
• a far cry from
• a means to an end
• a shot in the dark
• at the top of your voice
• be an open secret
• be at each other's throats
• be falling apart at the seams