on sight
The moment seen
On sight means immediately upon seeing someone or something, without delay or further consideration.
The phrase often implies an automatic, instinctive response: The guards were ordered to shoot on sight.
In slang, particularly in hip-hop culture, on sight signals hostile intent—a promise to confront or fight someone the moment you encounter them: It's on sight if I see him.
Aggressive act against another
- shootDischarge or capture
- killCause death
- enemyHostile opposing party
- threatIndication of potential harm
confrontation · aggression · violence · warfare · combat · retaliate · engage · eliminate
Without any pause
- spontaneouslyWithout forethought or preparation
- instantaneouslyOccurring without time passing
- at onceWithout any delay
- on the spotImmediately, without preparation
without hesitation · in a flash · recognition · reaction · first glance · snap judgment · impulse · instinct
attack
Aggressive act against another
threat · confrontation · aggression · violence · warfare · combat · retaliate · engage · eliminate · target
immediately
Without any pause
- spontaneouslyWithout forethought or preparation
- instantaneouslyOccurring without time passing
- at onceWithout any delay
without hesitation · on the spot · in a flash · recognition · reaction · first glance · snap judgment · impulse · instinct · automatic
on sighton second thought
Phrase signaling reconsideration
in due course · eventually · in time · gradually · in hindsight
sight, insight, oversight, foresight, sighted, sighting, hindsight, sightings, unsighted