Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

at first blush

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.56 in modern English

Syllables: at -first blush
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

Upon first impression or consideration; seemingly, apparently, ostensibly.

Example Sentences

"The finer and more distinctive features of a land require deep study and long acquaintance, but the broader traits of nationality are caught in an instant, or not caught at all. Familiarity with, destroys them, and it is only at first blush that we learn to appreciate them with force."
"At first blush it appears rather strange to consider for even a moment the possibility that corporate financial and business disclosure rises to the dignity of speech protected by the First Amendment."
"Third, it is only at first blush that one finds no exercises in conceptual elucidation"
"That may sound innocent at first blush, but a phrase like "American leadership is good … for the world" is a signal that these people want to impose their will on others; and when military strength and moral principle are added, the caution flag must be raised."
"At first blush it seemed the attacks by the werewolf were random."

Etymology

From an obsolete sense of blush meaning to glance at.

Inflected Forms

at the first blush (alternative)

Synonyms

at first glance at first sight on the face of it when first seen

Questions

What does at first blush mean?: Upon first impression or consideration; seemingly, apparently, ostensibly.
Where does at first blush come from?: From an obsolete sense of blush meaning to glance at.

How to pronounce at first blush

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