In trouble, difficulty, or embarrassment. * /Mr. Jones is on the spot because he cannot pay back the money he borrowed./ * /Bill is on the spot; he invited George to visit him, but Bill's parents said no./ Compare: BACK TO THE WALL. 3. {slang} In danger of murder; named or listed for death. * /After he talked to the police, the gangsters put him on the spot./
{adj. phr.}, {informal} In an embarrassing or difficult position; in some trouble. * /When the restaurant cook left at the beginning of the busy season, it put the restaurant owner in a hole./ Compare: BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL, IN THE HOLE.
See: ON THE SPOT(2).