Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: On the Spot

What does it mean?

On the spot means being forced to handle a difficult situation or answer a question immediately, without time to prepare.

Is it positive or negative?

It is negative — it describes pressure, discomfort, or sudden responsibility.

When do you use it?

Use it when someone is unexpectedly put under pressure in public, in a meeting, or in an interview.

Examples

Example 1: “The reporter put the minister on the spot by asking about the scandal.”

Example 2: “Being asked to speak in front of everyone really put me on the spot.”

Question for you

Have you ever been put on the spot in front of other people? What happened?

Are you looking for English speaking practice online?

Don’t get put on the spot in real conversations! Build confidence with clear, structured speaking practice in my online lessons on Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet.