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
The manager walks over to the store’s entry and stands watch, ready to lock the front door at the first sign of federal agents.
—
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Bulletproof desks that students can flip over at the first sign of trouble.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
What the research shows A study of more than 11,000 people published in The Lancet in 2024 demonstrated that nasal saline irrigation, initiated at the first sign of symptoms and performed up to six times per day, reduced the duration of symptomatic illness by approximately two days.
—Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for at the first sign
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Bulletproof desks that students can flip over at the first sign of trouble.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 2025
What the research shows A study of more than 11,000 people published in The Lancet in 2024 demonstrated that nasal saline irrigation, initiated at the first sign of symptoms and performed up to six times per day, reduced the duration of symptomatic illness by approximately two days.
—Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
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
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 26 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share