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
Year by year, their relationship grew worse, eventually deteriorating to the point that Eric would shut down at the first sign of conflict, muttering a few monosyllabic responses before escaping to the local tavern.
—
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
What to do at the first sign of a cold/flu:
Cover your cough/sneeze and be diligent about keeping a clean environment to reduce the spread of the viral particles that cause colds and influenza.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
Have a plan in place for emergencies, such as calling 911 at the first sign of a mood swing or outburst.
—Debra Manzella, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Experts recommend people who may need antiviral treatment for COVID to test at the first sign of symptoms, since these treatments are most effective when started immediately.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Oct. 2023
Now, doctors can detect one cancer cell out of a million healthy ones, identifying the depth of a patient's remission ‒ offering true peace of mind for some and getting an early warning sign at the first sign of recurrence.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
The dynasty is cracking in Tuscaloosa, and at the first sign of trouble there is a new video making the rounds this week of a racist Alabama fan screaming hate speech at Texas players during the Crimson Tide’s 34-24 loss.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2023
Seeking veterinary attention at the first sign of trouble can make a significant difference in the dog's overall health and well-being.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
Our hunch is Kelly will opt for the safe pick and give himself the option to elevate Moore at the first sign of trouble.
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
What to do at the first sign of a cold/flu:
Cover your cough/sneeze and be diligent about keeping a clean environment to reduce the spread of the viral particles that cause colds and influenza.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
Have a plan in place for emergencies, such as calling 911 at the first sign of a mood swing or outburst.
—Debra Manzella, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2023
Experts recommend people who may need antiviral treatment for COVID to test at the first sign of symptoms, since these treatments are most effective when started immediately.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Oct. 2023
Now, doctors can detect one cancer cell out of a million healthy ones, identifying the depth of a patient's remission ‒ offering true peace of mind for some and getting an early warning sign at the first sign of recurrence.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
The dynasty is cracking in Tuscaloosa, and at the first sign of trouble there is a new video making the rounds this week of a racist Alabama fan screaming hate speech at Texas players during the Crimson Tide’s 34-24 loss.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2023
Seeking veterinary attention at the first sign of trouble can make a significant difference in the dog's overall health and well-being.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023
Our hunch is Kelly will opt for the safe pick and give himself the option to elevate Moore at the first sign of trouble.
—Jon Wilner | , oregonlive, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the first sign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 30 Nov. 2023.
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