on sight

As soon as someone or something is seen.

• I knew her on sight.
• The guards were ordered to arrest him on sight.
• Can you identify these birds on sight?

Similar words: at first sight, immediately

Common phrases: recognize someone on sight, arrest someone on sight

As soon as you learn about or consider something, without thinking further.

• She rejected the idea on sight.
• The committee dismissed our proposal on sight.
• Do not reject every unfamiliar suggestion on sight.

Similar words: immediately, out of hand

Common phrases: reject something on sight, dismiss something on sight

Used to say you will fight someone immediately the next time you meet them.

• With him, it is on sight.
• She said it was on sight after the insult.
• They warned their rivals that it would be on sight.

How to use it: it is on sight with someone (He warned me that it was on sight with my brother.)

Common phrases: it is on sight, be on sight

A successful first climb of a route, without falling, previous knowledge, or advice about it.

• She completed an on sight.
• His on sight of that difficult route impressed everyone.
• Was that climb an on sight or had you seen the route before?

Similar words: onsight

Common phrases: a clean on sight, an impressive on sight