at sight—(also: on sight)
1. shoot a person immediately on seeing him:
- Had we shot Jodl at sight, that piece of evidence would never have been obtained.
2. reading music without previous study:
- That pianist can read the most difficult music at sight.
3. (of bank drafts, etc.) to be paid on presentation:
- I’ll give you a check at sight on the Pennsylvanian Bank.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase at first sight—(also: at first glance) when first seen or considered, often with the implication that one’s first impression is probably wrong:
- At first sight, it would seem they have a point. However, this reasoning is a bit short sighted.
in sight—
1. within view:
- The small jet began to lose height, and soon airport buildings, a runway, and taxi strips were in sight.
2. in one’s mental or spiritual vision:
- His sagacious mind immediately recognized and caught on to the only plan of salvation in sight.
3. said of smth. likely to happen soon:
- That such a development is not now in sight does not offer conclusive proof of technical infeasibility.