at the first sign
idiom
: as soon as something happens that indicates an action or event has begun to take place
The bartender called the police at the first sign of trouble.
At the first sign of spring she planted annuals in her flower beds.
Examples of at the first sign in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For others, a short walk or stretch at the first sign of tension serves as an effective defense.
—
Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Move indoors at the first sign of threatening skies or the first sound of thunder.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 12 June 2025
While Trump allies see the president’s reversals as a sign of necessary flexibility and part of a grand plan, the TACO acronym suggests Trump gets rattled at the first sign of trouble.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the first sign
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Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Move indoors at the first sign of threatening skies or the first sound of thunder.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 12 June 2025
While Trump allies see the president’s reversals as a sign of necessary flexibility and part of a grand plan, the TACO acronym suggests Trump gets rattled at the first sign of trouble.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the first sign
Cite this Entry
“At the first sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20first%20sign. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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