Expressions with the word SPOT (part 1)

The word SPOT is very simple. You know what it reminds me of? It reminds of the american sitcom The Big Bang Theory. That's because Sheldon, one of the main characters, won't let anyone sit in his "special" place in the couch. He calls it his "spot". If you havent watched that sitcom yet, don't miss that chance! The Big
Bang Theory is a great sitcom to have fun while learning English.

But let's go back to the word spot. I think you know what spot means now that I've mentioned the Sheldon's example. But in the case you don't watch the sitcom, besides being a specific place, spot can also mean "a rounded mark or stain made by foreign matter like paint, ink, etc...". Is it easier to undertsnad now? Let's jump right into the expressions with the word spot now. That's what matters the most.

Imagine yourself being in a very tight place. It's uncomfortable, it bothers you because it is somehow a problem. The figurative sense of that idea is kind of what our first expression means. If you see someone saying he's in a tight spot, for example, it means he's caught in a problem (most of the time in a financial problem). Take this example: Jook, John, I'm in a tight spot. Can you lend me twenty dollars? Notice that that expression is rather general. Although it can be used to tell people you're broke, it doesn't necessarily mean only that. You may also be caught in a problem for other reasons.

Now our next expression has nothing to do with the previous one. It is related to an emotional reaction towards fear or suprise. Among many reactions someone can have when surprised or fearful, maybe you're one of those who become unable to move. Let's suppose Chandler saw a ghostly figure. He was so scared he stood rooted to the spot. In other words, he was so scared he couldn't move at all. That's exactly what the expression means: to be uncapable of moving because of fear or surprise. What can make you stand rooted to your spot? Particularly, I can't remember the last time I was that scared. What about you?

Our third expression with the word spot has somehow to do with a kind of emotion as well. Pretend you have a friend called Michel who's passionate about cats. She has about 5 cats and is about to get the sixth one. While talking to another friend of yours about her, you say: Michel has a soft spot for cats. What does that mean? Well, it means she's got a fondness for cats, she loves them. You could also say "she has a soft spot in her heart for cats." It makes it even clearer she really loves them. The one thing to keep in mind is that you can use that expression with animal, things and even people. If you like someone special, you can say you have a soft spot for him/her. Isn't it great?

There are still many other exressions with the word spot to touch on, but I just realized how long this post has become. So I'll leave the rest of the expressions for the next post. I'll call it "part 2". Stick around!