Topic: TELEVISION AND RADIO
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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Origin: | Perhaps from Middle Dutch spotte |
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spot1 S2 W2
[countable]
[countable]1 a particular place or area, especially a pleasant place where you spend time : a nice quiet spot on the beach I chose a spot well away from the road.
place
a nice quiet spot on the beachI chose a spot well away from the road.2 a usually round area on a surface that is a different colour or is rougher, smoother etc than the rest [= patch]: a white cat with brown spots
area
a white cat with brown spots3 a small mark on something, especially one that is made by a liquid : There was a big damp spot on the wall.
mark
There was a big damp spot on the wall. spot of a few spots of blood
a few spots of blood4
on skin
a) a small round red area on someone's skin that shows that they are ill : He had a high fever and was covered in spots.
He had a high fever and was covered in spots.b) British English a small raised red mark on someone's skin, especially on their face [= pimple]: Becka was very self-conscious about her spots.
Becka was very self-conscious about her spots.5
on the spot
a) if you do something on the spot, you do it immediately, often without thinking about it very carefully [↪ on-the-spot]: He had to make a decision on the spot.
He had to make a decision on the spot.b) if you are on the spot, you are in the place where something is happening : We ought to find out the views of the people on the spot.
We ought to find out the views of the people on the spot.c) British English if you walk, run, or jump on the spot, you do it staying in the same place, without moving around [= in place American English] If running outside doesn't appeal, try jogging on the spot indoors.
If running outside doesn't appeal, try jogging on the spot indoors.6 to deliberately ask someone a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer
put somebody on the spot
7 a short period of time when someone can speak or perform on radio or television : He was given a 30-second spot just after the news.
tv/radio
AMTHe was given a 30-second spot just after the news.8 a position in a list of things or in a competition : The budget has a regular spot on the agenda.
position
The budget has a regular spot on the agenda. in a spot Manchester United are still in the top spot after today's win.
Manchester United are still in the top spot after today's win.9
weak spot
a) a point at which someone or something is not very good : I carried on with my questions, sensing a weak spot in his story.
I carried on with my questions, sensing a weak spot in his story.b) American English if someone has a weak spot for something, they like it very much :
12 a small amount of something : Do you fancy a spot of lunch?
a spot of something
British English informalDo you fancy a spot of lunch?14 a piece of paper money worth five dollars, ten dollars etc
five-spot/ten-spot etc
American English spokenPEC ➔ beauty spot, blackspot, blind spot
