on-the-spot 復習
JR East adopts English test for staff to boost services for foreign rail passengers
TOKYO -- Amid rising numbers of inbound tourists and with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) will adopt the "Hospitable English Ability Response Test" to boost its staff's ability to converse with foreign visitors.
The test, first launched in March 2017 by The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Obunsha Co. and Casio Computer Co., concentrates on listening and speaking skills most important to on-the-spot communication. There is a general test for skills needed to guide people on the street, and also versions aimed at workers in specific service industries, such as railways, retail outlets, lodgings, eateries and the taxi business.
以下省略
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181002/p2a/00m/0na/018000c
on-the-spot を取り上げます。文脈から「特に」という意味だと予測しました。
まず、『ウィズダム英和辞典』で確認したところ、「即座に、すぐに」とありました。
続いて、LDOCEには、“done immediately while you are at a particular place” と定義されており、“Doctors can often give on-the-spot treatment” という例文が挙げられています。
さらにインターネットで調べてみると、「難しい立場にいる」という意味もあり、例として “That question really put him on the spot.” が載っていました。（weblio英和辞書）これも合わせて覚えたいと思います。（Otoyo）
