What Does "On Sight" Mean?
"On sight" is an English idiom. It means "immediately upon seeing someone or something, often referring to a reaction or action triggered by visual contact."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "on sight" used in a sentence:- The security personnel were instructed to apprehend the intruder on sight.
- She recognized her childhood friend on sight, even though they hadn't seen each other in years.
- The photographer captured the breathtaking landscape on sight, instinctively snapping the perfect shot.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "On Sight" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "on sight" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
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