"on sight"是一个副词短语,核心含义是“一看到(某人/某物)就立即采取行动或做出反应”,强调行动的即时性(without delay upon seeing)。
"on sight"字面理解为“在看到的瞬间”,实际表达“一见即...”(immediately when seen),突出“看到后立刻行动”的逻辑。
通常与表示行动的动词搭配,放在动词后作状语,说明行动的时机。
常见动词:arrest, shoot, stop, prosecute 等(多用于法律、军事或安全场景)。
The police have issued an arrest on sight order for the escaped prisoner.
警方已对逃犯下达“一见即捕”的命令。
The guard was told to shoot on sight anyone trying to breach the perimeter.
守卫接到命令:任何试图突破 perimeter 的人,一见就开枪。
The sign warns trespassers will be prosecuted on sight.
牌子警告: trespass 者一见即起诉。
常见动词:know, recognize, identify 等(日常场景中表示“凭视觉快速识别”)。
I don’t remember her name, but I know her on sight.
我不记得她的名字,但一看到她就认识。
Can you recognize this bird on sight? It’s rare.
你能一看到这只鸟就认出它吗?它很稀有。
Pilots sometimes have to fly on sight when navigation systems fail.
导航系统故障时,飞行员有时得凭视觉飞行。
on sight:侧重“即时行动”(看到后立刻做某事);
at first sight:侧重“第一印象”(初看时的感觉,不涉及行动)。
例:
She fell in love with him at first sight.(她对他一见钟情——初看的印象。)
The security team will detain him on sight.(安保团队会一见他就扣留——即时行动。)
"on sight"的关键是“看到即行动”,核心在“即时性”和“行动性”。记住它的常用搭配(如arrest/shoot/know on sight),就能快速理解语境中的含义~