put someone on the spot

put someone on the spot
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.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • put someone on the spot — phrase to ask someone a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer I’m going to put you on the spot and ask what you would have done in his position. Thesaurus: to ask a question or questionssynonym to make someone feel ashamed or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • put someone on the spot — put (someone) 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 …   New idioms dictionary

  • put someone on the spot —    If you put someone on the spot, you put them in a difficult position, for example by asking difficult questions which they cannot avoid.     The reporter was put on the spot when he was asked to reveal his source …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • put someone on the spot — to ask someone a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer I m going to put you on the spot and ask what you would have done in his position …   English dictionary

  • put someone on the spot — informal force someone into a situation in which they must respond or act. → spot …   English new terms dictionary

  • put on the spot — put (someone) 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 …   New idioms dictionary

  • put someone out — 1 Maria was put out by the slur: ANNOY, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall, upset; …   Useful english dictionary

  • put on the spot —    If you put someone on the spot, you put them in a difficult position, for example by asking difficult questions which they cannot avoid.     The reporter was put on the spot when he was asked to reveal his source …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • put on the spot — ► put on the spot informal force (someone) into a situation in which they must respond or act. Main Entry: ↑spot …   English terms dictionary

  • spot — I UK [spɒt] / US [spɑt] noun [countable] Word forms spot : singular spot plural spots *** 1) the particular place where someone or something is We found him sitting in a sunny spot in the garden. mark the spot: Flowers mark the spot where the… …   English dictionary

  • spot — [[t]spɒ̱t[/t]] ♦♦ spots, spotting, spotted 1) N COUNT: usu pl Spots are small, round, coloured areas on a surface. The leaves have yellow areas on the top and underneath are powdery orange spots... The swimsuit comes in navy with white spots or… …   English dictionary

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