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
But at the first sign of fall, these are quickly packed away in favor of layers and more practical pieces.
—
Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
As a general rule, discard soft cheeses such as ricotta, cream cheese and cottage cheese at the first sign of mold.
—Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2025
Nothing kills an outfit faster than a rigid denim waistband digging into your sides or linen trousers wrinkling at the first sign of sitting.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
People who work to develop those skills are less likely to quit at the first sign of trouble and more likely to have the confidence to bounce back from a failure or setback, giving themselves a better shot a succeeding in the future.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at the first sign
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Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
As a general rule, discard soft cheeses such as ricotta, cream cheese and cottage cheese at the first sign of mold.
—Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2025
Nothing kills an outfit faster than a rigid denim waistband digging into your sides or linen trousers wrinkling at the first sign of sitting.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
People who work to develop those skills are less likely to quit at the first sign of trouble and more likely to have the confidence to bounce back from a failure or setback, giving themselves a better shot a succeeding in the future.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 10 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2025.
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