PhrasesHub

At First Blush

    Definitions

      • initial impression
        Refers to the initial appearance or first impression of something, often before a deeper examination or understanding

    Examples of At First Blush

    • The candidate seems appealing at first blush, but we should do a background check before making a decision.

      At first glance, the candidate appears desirable, but we should conduct a thorough investigation before reaching a conclusion. This idiom means that an initial impression or evaluation may be favorable or positive, but further examination may reveal flaws or limitations.

    • The restaurant's menu looked enticing at first blush, but the quality of the food left much to be desired.

      The menu of the restaurant appeared alluring at first sight, but the actual culinary experience fell short of expectations. This idiom highlights the importance of not taking things for granted at face value and to instead take a closer look before making a judgment.

    • She seemed sincere at first blush, but her true intentions soon became apparent.

      Initially, she appeared genuine, but her true purpose or motives were eventually revealed, indicating that initial impressions can sometimes be deceiving. This idiom encourages caution and encourages people to be wary of people until they have established themselves.

    • The project appeared promising at first blush, but the feasibility and practicality of implementing it were questionable.

      Initially, the proposal sounded promising, but upon further evaluation, its practicality and feasibility were questioned. This idiom emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough checks before committing to any action, project or plan.In all of these examples, the use of "at first blush" highlights the importance of not only evaluating things superficially but also conducting a deeper and thorough evaluation before making any decisions.

    • The new CEO seemed like a competent leader at first blush, but as time went on, her lack of experience became apparent.

      At first glance or initial impression, the CEO appeared to have the necessary skills and abilities to lead the company. However, as things progressed, it became clear that she did not have enough experience to handle the challenges of the position.

    • The singer's debut album received rave reviews at first blush, but upon closer inspection, the album's flaws became apparent.

      Initially, the album received a lot of positive feedback from critics and fans alike. However, upon further review, it became apparent that the album had some inherent flaws, such as repetitive song structures or lackluster production.

    • The restaurant's decor and menu looked promising at first blush, but the service left a lot to be desired.

      The restaurant's aesthetic and offerings seemed appealing at first glance. However, the actual dining experience was less than desirable due to poor service, such as slow wait times or unresponsive staff.

    • The politician's proposals seemed like a good idea at first blush, but upon further scrutiny, they were lacking in practicality and feasibility.

      At first glance, the proposals seemed like viable solutions to current issues. However, upon closer examination, it became apparent that the proposals were not practical or feasible in their execution. This could be due to a lack of resources, unrealistic timelines, or other similar factors.


    Conclusion

    "At First Blush" is used to describe the initial impression of something before a deeper examination. It can be used to caution against making judgments based solely on initial appearances and encourages taking a closer look before forming an opinion.

    Origin of "At First Blush"

    The origin of the idiom "At First Blush" can be traced back to the 17th century. The word "blush" in this context refers to a sudden reddening of someone's face, often due to embarrassment or shyness. The idiom suggests that the initial impression is like the first reddening of the face, which may not accurately represent the true nature of the thing being observed. Over time, the idiom has been used to emphasize the need for a more thorough examination before forming a judgment.