on sight: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    Globalneutralformal
    • immediately when seen; at the moment of first sighting, often implying prompt action upon detection (frequently used in contexts of pursuit or attack)

    Examples

    Beta

    • The security team was instructed to detain the suspect on sight.

      The security team was instructed to detain the suspect immediately when seen.

    • On sight of the fire, the villagers began evacuating without delay.

      Immediately when they saw the fire, the villagers began evacuating without delay.

    • The bounty hunter promised to capture the fugitive on sight.

      The bounty hunter promised to capture the fugitive immediately upon seeing him.

  • 2.

    Globalneutralinformal
    • at first glance; instantly and without further examination or deliberation; recognizably or saleable upon initial viewing

    Examples

    Beta

    • This vintage watch is a collector's item on sight; everyone recognizes its value immediately.

      This vintage watch is a collector's item instantly upon first glance; everyone recognizes its value immediately.

    • The painting’s brilliance makes it saleable on sight to art dealers.

      The painting’s brilliance makes it instantly recognizable and saleable to art dealers.

    • Her talent was obvious on sight, so the director cast her right away.

      Her talent was obvious instantly at first glance, so the director cast her right away.

Examples:

  • EN: "Bradford has got the key... and he's warned me that he'll shoot me on sight."
    ES: "Bradford tiene la llave, y me ha advertido que me disparará en cuanto me vea."
  • EN: He will kill you on sight.
    ES: Te matará en el acto.
  • EN: I'll shoot on sight every Abolitionist who dares defile the soil of old Virginia.
    ES: Dispararé a todo abolicionista que ose deshonrar el suelo de Virginia.
  • EN: He'd shoot on sight. Weapons aren't everything in the jungle.
    ES: Las armas no lo son todo en la jungla.
  • EN: Her merchandise is the kind that sells on sight.
    ES: Su mercancía es de las que se venden a la vista.
  • EN: Apprehend on sight Robert Kirkwood, five-and-a-half, son of Robert Kirkwood, lawyer.
    ES: Se busca a Robert Kirkwood, de cinco años y medio de edad, es hijo del abogado Kirkwood.
  • EN: Why, even the cops and the newsboys recognize me on sight.
    ES: Hasta la poli y los repartidores de periódicos me reconocen.
  • EN: He'll shoot you on sight.
    ES: Te disparará en cuanto te vea.
  • EN: So will I. I'll tell her I'll shoot any other nurse on sight.
    ES: Yo también, le diré que si me manda otra la mataré.
  • EN: Pirates on alarm on sight!
    ES: ¡Piratas en alarma al verlo!
  • EN: You know, Washington wants us to shoot on sight.
    ES: Washington quiere que disparemos al verlo.
  • EN: They'd shoot you on sight, you wouldn't get a chance to explain.
    ES: Dispararan antes de que consiga hablar.
  • EN: McCall, a year ago I'd have shot you dead on sight.
    ES: McCall, hace un año te hubiera matado en el acto.
  • EN: His orders are to shoot on sight.
    ES: Hay que disparar a matar.
  • EN: She hated me on sight, and I reciprocated the feeling.
    ES: Me detestó nada mas verme... debo decir que el sentimiento fue mutuo.
  • EN: "Bradford has got the key... and he's warned me that he'll shoot me on sight."
    ES: "Bradford tiene la llave, y me ha advertido que me disparará en cuanto me vea."
  • EN: He will kill you on sight.
    ES: Te matará en el acto.
  • EN: I'll shoot on sight every Abolitionist who dares defile the soil of old Virginia.
    ES: Dispararé a todo abolicionista que ose deshonrar el suelo de Virginia.
  • EN: Her merchandise is the kind that sells on sight.
    ES: Su mercancía es de las que se venden a la vista.
  • EN: He'd shoot on sight. Weapons aren't everything in the jungle.
    ES: Las armas no lo son todo en la jungla.
  • EN: Apprehend on sight Robert Kirkwood, five-and-a-half, son of Robert Kirkwood, lawyer.
    ES: Se busca a Robert Kirkwood, de cinco años y medio de edad, es hijo del abogado Kirkwood.
  • EN: Why, even the cops and the newsboys recognize me on sight.
    ES: Hasta la poli y los repartidores de periódicos me reconocen.
  • EN: He'll shoot you on sight.
    ES: Te disparará en cuanto te vea.
  • EN: So will I. I'll tell her I'll shoot any other nurse on sight.
    ES: Yo también, le diré que si me manda otra la mataré.
  • EN: Pirates on alarm on sight!
    ES: ¡Piratas en alarma al verlo!
  • EN: You know, Washington wants us to shoot on sight.
    ES: Washington quiere que disparemos al verlo.
  • EN: They'd shoot you on sight, you wouldn't get a chance to explain.
    ES: Dispararan antes de que consiga hablar.
  • EN: McCall, a year ago I'd have shot you dead on sight.
    ES: McCall, hace un año te hubiera matado en el acto.
  • EN: His orders are to shoot on sight.
    ES: Hay que disparar a matar.
  • EN: She hated me on sight, and I reciprocated the feeling.
    ES: Me detestó nada mas verme... debo decir que el sentimiento fue mutuo.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

on sight: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator