put on the spot — to force someone to answer a difficult question or make an immediate decision, often causing embarrassment or pressure
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to force someone to answer a difficult question or make an immediate decision, often causing embarrassment or pressure
Pronunciation (IPA): /pʊt ɑːn ðə spɑːt/
Example Sentences
- My boss put me on the spot by asking me to give a presentation with zero preparation time.
- At the family dinner, my aunt put me on the spot and asked in front of everyone why I'm still single at 30.
- The teacher put on the spot the one student who clearly hadn't done the reading, and his face turned bright red.
put on the spot
VERB[/pʊt ɑːn ðə spɑːt/]
to force someone to answer a difficult question or make an immediate decision, often causing embarrassment or pressure
The reporter put the mayor on the spot with a surprise question about the budget.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The idiom likely derives from the image of standing under a spotlight, where one is exposed and forced to respond immediately without preparation.
Breakdown
put (to place) + on (upon) + the spot (a specific location/moment) — literally 'to place someone in that exact spot' of pressure
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss put me on the spot by asking me to give a presentation with zero preparation time.”
“At the family dinner, my aunt put me on the spot and asked in front of everyone why I'm still single at 30.”
“The teacher put on the spot the one student who clearly hadn't done the reading, and his face turned bright red.”
“Please don't put me on the spot during the meeting; let's discuss the budget issue privately first.”
📚Related Words
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