at first sight

Friendly

Explanation of "at first sight"

The phrase "at first sight" is an expression used in English to describe something that you notice or understand immediately when you first see it. It often conveys a sense of a quick impression or feeling based on an initial observation.

Usage Instructions:

• "At first sight" is typically used to describe feelings or opinions that are formed upon first encountering something. It is often used in romantic contexts but can also apply to other situations.

Example:

• "At first sight, the painting looked simple, but it had many hidden details."
• "It was love at first sight when they met each other."

Advanced Usage:

• In more complex sentences, you can use "at first sight" to introduce a contrast. For example:
  • "At first sight, the task seemed easy, but it turned out to be quite challenging."

Word Variants:

• You may also come across the related expression "at first glance," which has a similar meaning. It is used in the same way to describe an initial impression.

Different Meanings:

• The phrase is primarily used to express immediate reactions or feelings. However, it can sometimes imply that a deeper understanding may come later, as first impressions can change with more information.

Synonyms:

• Some synonyms for "at first sight" include:
  • "At first glance"
  • "Initially"
  • "Upon first impression"

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "at first sight," but you might use phrases like:
  • "Jump to conclusions" which means to make a quick judgment without enough information, similar to making a snap judgment based on first impressions.

Summary:

"At first sight" is a useful phrase to describe initial impressions or feelings, often used in both romantic and general contexts.

Academic

Adverb

1. immediately
   • it was love at first sight

Synonyms

• at first glance