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
Emergency management blasts out alerts at the first sign of drizzle, warning residents that in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains, one inch of rain can turn into a river of death.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Because the future belongs to those who don’t freeze at the first sign of change.
—Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Some employees, like his publicist (Laura Dern), bail at the first sign of real trouble.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Plus, that guy hightailed it at the first sign of familial conflict with his future in-laws, demonstrating all the courage and fortitude of a wilted cabbage.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the first sign
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Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Because the future belongs to those who don’t freeze at the first sign of change.
—Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Some employees, like his publicist (Laura Dern), bail at the first sign of real trouble.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Plus, that guy hightailed it at the first sign of familial conflict with his future in-laws, demonstrating all the courage and fortitude of a wilted cabbage.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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